A/N: This story might have been deleted? At least I couldn't open it in readers format? Strange.
November 3rd, Tuesday, At Castle Black, 11 o'clock
Sirius had decided to visit his Grandfather uninvited, today.
Harry had insisted on coming along and so they stood in front of the black iron gates. Lily would have called them 'gothic', Sirius thought. They were very ornate and were framed by two grey pillars with gargoyles on top of them.
Sirius 'knocked' and waited patiently for the acknowledgment. He didn't know if he still was free to enter, after all.
Harry, sitting on his hip looked around in interest and then babbled to one of the gargoyles that nodded along and looked quite interested in what the child had to say.
He felt the ward open, letting him and Harry enter. Harry waved at the gargoyle and called out, "Bye-bye!"
The gargoyle waved back.
While they walked toward the gloomy-looking castle Sirius was much more worried than Harry, it seemed. The boy was looking around and was even happy at seeing a crow. He pointed at the black bird, telling Sirius, "Biwdie!"
"Yes Harry, a bird! Amazing, isn't it?" Sirius grinned at Harry who beamed back.
The doors to the castle were open and Sirius stepped through them only flinching slightly when the doors banged shut behind them.
"Oopsi," Harry said.
"Exactly. Well, let's look for my Grandfather."
"Dandfasa?"
"Close enough."
An elf popped into sight in front of them and said, "Please follow Milky, little masters."
As Sirius followed the elf, he groused, "Little masters. Bah."
Harry giggled.
They were led to an amazingly cheery and light room. Sirius remembered that it had been Melania's favorite. He felt quite touched that he could visit it once more.
A haggard-looking, tall, man with stone-grey, longish hair - bound together at the nape of his neck - stood in the room looking very out of place in the sunny surroundings.
He stood very still, tall, and mustered Sirius and the little boy regally without moving at all.
Harry mustered the strange man right back.
"Grandfather, thank you for inviting us in even if we came unannounced."
"Sirius. It is good, you came. Who is the boy?"
"Hawwy!"
"Grandfather, please meet Harry James Potter, my sworn godson. Harry, please meet my Grandfather Lord Arcturus Black."
"Uh?"
"My Grandfather, I told you about."
"Dandfasa?"
"Exactly."
"Otay," Harry nodded and then commanded, "Down."
Sirius sat Harry on his little feet and the boy started to explore the room.
"Milky, watch the boy."
"Yes, Master!" The elf looked excited and followed Harry.
"Please take a seat, Grandson."
"Thank you."
They sat down and Arcturus asked, "What brings you to me?"
"Yesterday I thought about the family I had left and decided to visit you. There are some things you should know."
Sirius told his Grandfather about the last few days and his and the others' suspicions about Dumbledore. He concluded his tale with, "And so I was set up in the role of the traitor of the Potters, the Longbottoms were set up to die and Harry was set up to live with his Muggle relatives, who hate magic, while his property gets looted by so-called fans."
"This is a very throughout and convoluted plot to gain access to one little boy."
"Yes, but the little boy is called the Savior of the Light and is an heir to one of the old houses, as well. But you are right, it seems over the top."
Arcturus nodded but said, "Albus always was a drama queen."
Sirius barked out a surprised laugh.
"What? That is what we often called him, in earlier times. So, what do you need of me, Sirius?"
"I need more people on Harry's and my side. He currently is my heir, you know? I actually do not know if you ever disowned me or if it just was mothers crazy ranting. So, if you didn't, Harry might become Lord Black in some far-off future."
"Sirius, what are you talking about? I never disowned you."
"Really? After Andy was disowned by you, I never knew."
"Andy? Do you mean Andromeda? – Sirius, I did not disown her, either. I pulled back from everyone after Melania's death and did not meet anyone from the family. I walked around living in a fog, until Samhain, three nights ago. It was like someone pulled a curtain from my mind. – My only explanation is that the latest Dark Lord incapacitated me somehow after I refused to follow him during Melania's funeral. I plan to install a yearly health scan at Gringotts for every coming Lord Black in response to this."
"Morgana! And everyone was giving you space to mourn your wife for… wow… for what… 13, 14 years?
"Yes. Orion came by once, but I just stayed mute so he left again. How is he?"
"Grandfather, Father died two years ago. I still think it was mother, who killed him."
"Oh no." Arcturus seemed to sink into himself but quickly pulled himself together.
In the background, one could hear Harry and Milky talking. It sounded like Milky was reading a book to Harry.
"What about the rest?" Arcturus asked after swallowing repeatedly.
"Well, let's see, Andromeda married a Muggle-born wizard and has a daughter with metamorphmagic- abilities. As I said, Andy was disowned. Narcissa married Lucius Malfoy and has a little blond son. Bellatrix was married to Rodolphus Lestrange and became an avid follower of the latest Dark Lord. She is in a holding cell right now. Their parents are alive and as unpleasant as ever."
Arcturus barked out a laugh.
"Mother is getting crazier by the minute and Regulus…"
"No."
"He is dead according to the tapestry, Mother wrote."
Arcturus got up and said, "I need to see for myself. I haven't looked at the original Black family tapestry since Mel died. Do you want to come?"
"Yes, I need to see it as well. Let me get Harry or he will throw a tantrum. He is still traumatized by the events three nights ago and is afraid to lose me as well."
Arcturus nodded in understanding. Well, he had no idea about child-rearing, but it sounded reasonable.
Soon the three were standing in front of a huge tapestry. It covered the whole wall which had the ballroom on the other side. No burn holes marred it and just at the bottom, at the perfect height for Harry to study, Sirius' generation was displayed.
The two men and the little boy studied the part about Sirius' family and Harry pointed at a picture of Sirius saying, "Bafoo."
Sirius nodded distracted. He was staring at the little portrait of his brother, which was not greyed out nor had it a date of death.
Regulus was alive! How was that possible?
Sirius looked big-eyed at his grandfather, his mouth hanging open in shock.
Harry meanwhile had discovered a picture of little Nymphadora Tonks, that change their hair color constantly and he was greatly entertained by it. "Loot, Bafoo! Loot Dandfa!"
Both men were ripped out of the shocked state they had been in and watched the girl with the amazing ability they had thought to be extinct.
"That is your cousin, Nymphadora, Harry."
"Nim'dola?"
"Yes. She is fun. You will meet her sometime. I wonder if you can find any other pictures of people with their hair changing? They would be higher up. Hm, can't the tapestry move?" Sirius looked at Arcturus.
"What?... Oh yes," Arcturus tapped the tapestry with his wand, and it slowly started to scroll down.
"Now, Harry look, if you can find another picture of a person with their hair changing. It is really hard, though!"
"Yeah!"
Little Harry was busy for a while now and Sirius and Arcturus were able to talk.
"So, Regulus is alive. Do you have any idea why he faked his death? Or where he could be?"
"None whatsoever. There has even been a funeral in '79. Mother went even crazier after, I was told. Maybe, we try writing him a letter? Or… 'Point me Regulus Black'."
Sirius's wand spun and pointed south.
"Good idea, grandson. Now you only have to Apparate in that direction."
"Not exactly. There is a Muggle way to survey land, called triangulation. Lily Potter told us about it when James and I had a hard time finding a suspect. She even improved the point me spell for our needs."
"Why do you sound like an Auror?"
"Because I am one," Sirius grinned at his grandfather.
"And they still thought you were in cahoots with the Dark Lord?"
"Yes, but I would not have been the only one, you know?"
"Alright. Now tell me about this triangulation, Sirius."
"Right." Sirius did an advanced summoning spell which put a detailed Muggle map of Great Britain in his hands. He unfolded it and cleared it of any past scribblings. He put the map on one of the big tables and cast a spell on it that made it move around until it was perfectly aligned with the cardinal points of the world and cast the point-me spell again, right above the map. But he added 'linea tabula'.
The two men watched as a straight line was drawn on the map that originated at the place where Castle Black was and went in the direction of France.
"Now, if I Apparate to Plymouth, and do the same again, a second line will be drawn and hopefully point in a different direction. Regulus is, where the lines cross."
"Ingenious. Now, that you have shown me, it seems logical and quite obvious."
"Yes, Muggles are good with logic. The map is Muggle-made, you know."
"Incredible. They certainly are not mud-dwellers as we were led to believe," Arcturus studied the map more closely.
"Nope. I will tell you all about them at a later time but how do I get the second line now?" Sirius folded up the map and looked at Harry.
"Does he have a nap time?"
"Good thinking. Oh, and please do not tell anyone about this method. We kept it quiet as not to give the Death Eaters an even easier way to find their targets."
Arcturus nodded, looking very serious, "I will."
"Thank you. – Now, I hope you are not angry with me for asking, but you don't look so well. Would you mind if Matron Poppy Pomfrey looked you over?"
Arcturus' first impulse was to say no, but he knew Poppy, and Sirius had told him about her integrity during the last few days. Maybe he still was needed here he mused and so he nodded.
"She is at the secure location with the Longbottoms so a Patronus message should be alright. Better ask. Expecto Patronum Poppy, are you at our secure location?" His Grim Patronus bounded off and Harry clapped. He had gotten distracted by the bright charm. "Pafoo!"
Sirius grinned.
Poppy's tiny, but bright bee-Patronus came back and answered, "Yes and I am alone. What is it?"
"Could you come to Castle Black? It is not an emergency, but my grandfather could use a check-up. I was told you know where to come to."
Harry watched with growing excitement. He even tried to touch the Grim, but his hand went right through!
"Pafoo?" He asked forlornly when the untouchable Grim bounded off again.
Seeing the possible storm coming, Sirius changed into his Animagus form and Harry cheered, "Pafoo!" He ran to the Grim and hugged and petted him. Padfoot licked his face and Harry shrieked with laughter.
Arcturus was amazed. The Grim was the hidden patron of the Black family. That his grandson's Patronus and Animagus form was representing a Grim was nearly unheard of. He felt elated, to have witnessed it and reassured in his decision that Sirius was the right future Head of the Black family.
For the first time in many years, he smiled at the sight of the cuddle pile that was his grandson and his grandson's godson and heir.
He then felt a 'knock' on the wards and immediately let the familiar woman inside.
Poppy was led into the tapestry room and smiled at the sight of the boy and his dogfather. She went up to her old acquaintance and simply said, "Arcturus. Good to see you again."
"I feel the same, Poppy. Welcome once more. Tea?"
"Let us first do the check-up. I can relax better afterward."
Arcturus nodded, "Very well. Sirius, we will be gone for a few minutes if you need anything, ask for Milky."
The dog nodded and then pounced on a shrieking Harry.
Half an hour later, Arcturus and Poppy came back to the Tapestry Room and found the little boy and the Grim studying the tapestry again. They were at the Blacks of the 15th century by now and Harry found another metamorphmagus.
Arcturus praised the boy and thought back to the later generations. Hadn't one Black girl married a Potter, lately? His cousin Dorea had married Charlus Potter. Were they Harry's grandparents? They did have a son rather late if he remembered it right. If so, Harry was his 2nd-degree grandnephew he thought. Their common ancestor was Phineas Black, Arcturus' Grandfather. Like with so many of their world right now. The Longbottoms, Weasleys, Crouches, Malfoys, Potters, and Burkes all had that man as their ancestor.
So, if Harry did become their family's head, it was quite all right.
"Well, let us have some lunch now, what do you say Harry?" Arcturus asked.
"Yes, Dandfasa!" Harry cheered.
Poppy had to bite her lip to hide her laughter.
Sirius turned back into his human form and they went to the winter garden to take their lunch.
The table was lavishly set and full of food that they had no way of eating all of.
"The elves are excited to cook for someone else, it seems," Arcturus said ruefully. He looked much better, and 20 years younger, Sirius noted. Poppy obviously had been able to help the man.
Harry happily and messily ate his lunch, while the adults talked.
"So, you know each other?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, Melania and I were in the same year at Hogwarts. We were good friends even though she was a Hufflepuff and I a Ravenclaw. We stayed in close contact after school and she introduced me to her fiancée Arcturus then."
Sirius nodded. "I guess you two lost contact after my grandmother's death?"
"Yes, I was busy at Hogwarts and then the war got more and more heated, so I dropped the ball on Arcturus."
"I probably would not have let you visit anyway. You found the residue of Riddles curse, after all."
"Yes. We narrowed it down to Melania's wake, Sirius."
"Da… rn."
"Indeed."
"I am just happy I decided to visit you!"
"I am, as well. Even with the curse now gone I would have wallowed on, I think. I was used to the loneliness by now."
"And without medical attention…" Poppy added.
"… I would have died within a few years. Not anymore, Sirius. No need to look so concerned. Poppy took care of my heart condition easily."
"Phew."
"Our great ability in healing is a curse sometimes. People often only go to see a healer when it is nearly too late. Well, sometimes it is. So, please come and have a quick check-up every two years from now on."
Both men nodded. Harry did too. It seemed the thing to do when Poppy said something.
"Poppy, would you mind staying for Harry's naptime?" Sirius looked imploringly at Poppy.
"She understood at once that Sirius wanted to leave for some reason and Harry needed a familiar face should he wake up.
So, soon the older adults sat in comfortable armchairs and Harry slept in a warded little cot that Milky had brought while Sirius cast a notice-me-not on himself and Apparated to a hidden place he knew of in Plymouth. He did the spiel with the map again and found, that Regulus seemed to be directly at the English coast. He renewed the notice-me-not and Apparated there.
He landed very close to the edge of a high cliff, The day was grey, cold, windy, and wet. The water of the sea was roaring. Sirius shivered and looked around. There were no people or settlements anywhere to be seen. Where could Regulus be?
He cast the point-me spell again and his wand tipped over and fell off his hand, point first.
"What the hell?"
Sirius had experienced something similar when James and he had chased a criminal. They hadn't seen him when arriving at the cross-point of the lines and cast the point me, only for the wand to try to point upward and fall handle first on the ground. The thief had been fleeing on a broom!
But that meant that Reg was in the ground? Huh? Sirius looked around and noted the cliffside again. Maybe investigate the side of the cliff? He summoned his broom and cast the notice-me-not again. He cast a water-repelling charm as well and carefully took flight. He could not fly too close to the cliff because of the wind, but he might see something anyway.
And he did. There seemed to be a cave! Ok, that was it for now. He flew back up and when he had firm ground under his feet, he Apparated back to the Castle entrance and walked back to where he had left the others. In the meantime, dispelling the charms on him and then cast a gentle drying one.
He found the others as he had left them. He had only been gone for 20 minutes or so, after all.
Arcturus looked expectantly at Sirius, "You did not find him?"
"Well, I found a cave entrance on a cliff at the sea. He must be in there somehow. But the weather was too bad to investigate further in the little time I had."
"I understand. Well, it is more than we knew before you went. A cave you say?"
"Yes. When I cast the point-me spell while standing on the cliff, the wand tried to point to the ground below me. He must be down there somehow."
"Curious. Hm. What now?"
"Well, we could wait for better weather, or… "
"Well, we could ask the beings that actually live underground."
"You are thinking of the goblins? Good idea!"
"Let me write to Blackfang, our account manager. Would you mind visiting him, later? I am not ready to brave the outside yet."
"Sure. If Harry can come?"
Arcturus nodded and sent a letter to Blackfang, asking for an appointment for his heir in an hour.
Milky delivered it and came back with the answer, that Sirius was welcome to Floo to Office No. 3, Gringotts, London any time he wanted to. He and his Grandfather had an open invitation to come, whenever they wanted to and Heir Potter was welcome, as well.
"Perfect," Sirius said. "I know one day more or less should not matter, but I feel the need to find him soon!"
"Me, too."
Poppy listened quietly. It would be such a gift if they found Melania's second grandson. Her friend had adored the little boy. And Melania's husband and his first grandson working together would have made her friend ridiculously happy as well.
This is the family tree I used for the Black family.
A/N: Dorea and Charlus are Harry's grandparents /at least in this story
Gringotts, 3 o'clock, Same Day
Sirius and a well-rested Harry arrived at office no. 3.
Harry was happy to visit the 'Doblins again, even though he didn't want to part from Arcturus. The man had been quite touched by the little boy's sadness, to leave him. Not that he showed it, but still.
Harry and Sirius were invited to come back soon. Harry and Sirius had nodded enthusiastically and then left for Gringotts ('inotts).
They sat down in front of Blackfang, who greeted them, and Harry said, "Hawwy owie 'way!"
The goblin blinked and looked at Sirius in question.
"Yes, the goblins healed the wound on your forehead, right Harry."
Harry nodded emphatically.
"Ah, I understand. You are welcome, Heir Potter."
"Hawwy."
"He wants to be called Harry right now," Sirius grinned toothily at Blackfang who grinned back, showing off his impressive teeth.
Harry was fascinated.
"What can I do for you, Heir Black?"
Harry wanted to tell the goblin, that this was Bafoo, but Sirius shook his head at Harry and put his finger over his mouth. He then answered, "We have found evidence that my brother might still be alive. I have tracked him to this location," he handed a note with the coordinates on it over to the goblin. "It is on a cliff, right above the sea, so please be careful with your arrival there."
The goblin nodded and Sirius went on, "My point-me showed him to be below the ground, so I flew alongside the cliff and saw a cave entrance there. The wind was too strong to investigate further so we thought who would be best suited to investigate a cave?"
"Goblins, I understand."
Sirius (and Harry) nodded.
"We certainly can investigate and possibly save your brother for a fee."
"Certainly. Please name your price."
"200g."
It was a fair price, so Sirius said, "Done."
"Anything else?"
"Not at the moment. The succession depends on the results of your search for Regulus. Please do all you can, to save my brother."
"Blackfang nodded, "Do you want to wait?"
"I can't, Harry would get bored, and you don't want that," Sirius grinned toothily again.
The goblin barked out a laugh.
"But I will tell Billy, the house-elf at our safe house to listen to your call. He can ferry letters easily."
"Understood."
A/N: Please stop telling me this is a good first rough draft of a story. It is incredibly rude and discouraging.