It's My Life
It was Friday, August 11th, 1995, and Harry was fully ready to travel to Potter Manor for the first time and see his family home. Severus had gotten things set up at his home on Spinner's End; making a copy of all his things to keep there and take original items he needed or wanted while living at the manor with Harry. The last thing Severus had to do was link up one of the fireplaces to his home so that if Dumbledore showed up there to look for Severus; he would know and be able to apparate back and make it seem like he was handling business with Voldemort or something. Harry was the one who suggested the idea of linking up fireplaces after learning it could be done and in a sense; Spinner's end would become much like an extension to Potter Manor, but remain where it was. Harry had sent out letters to Ron and Hermione, informing them both he was just fine and couldn't wait to see them at the start of the school year in September, and also in Diagon Alley to get their things for fifth year. Harry also sent a letter to Sirius, letting him know that he was safe and currently at Malfoy Manor. Also that Sirius couldn't tell a soul about where he really was and if he wanted to visit, the Malfoy's had said it was okay to. Harry knew Sirius got the letter because Shadow had returned quickly after sending it off with Hedwig, so she could teach Shadow where to go and how things worked.
"After breakfast, Harry, would you like to leave for Potter Manor?" Severus inquired.
"Sure," Harry replied. "I'll do one more check to make sure I have everything. Are you all coming too?" He asked the Malfoy's.
"Would…You like us too?" Narcissa questioned.
"You are the secret keeper, and telling us means we can find and see it." Lucius reminded.
"You all swore vows that you would never repeat the information I give you. That's enough for me to start trusting you a bit," Harry replied. "So is that a yes to coming?"
"Oh, please?" Narcissa beamed.
"We'll be ready," Draco stated.
Harry went back to eating his breakfast, then the rest of them did too. It was about an hour later at 9:30 am when they had all finished and were in the main room to wait as Harry was doing one more sweep of his things in Malfoy Manor. Finally, Harry returned to the group as Severus had his wand ready for the shrinking process to make carrying much easier.
"Excited, Harry?" Lucius chuckled.
"A little, yes," Harry responded. "Are we ready?" He prepared to flip his ring around as Griphook instructed him to.
"Ready," Severus, Narcissa, Lucius, and Draco said.
"Then hold on," Harry smiled. Suddenly, the fireplace roared and showed bright green flames as a figure stepped out. "Sirius!" Harry charged forward to instantly hug the man tightly.
"Harry!" Sirius took his godson into his arms, hugging him tight and sighed in relief to see him okay. "Are you alright, my pup?"
"I'm okay, Sirius…" Harry reassured.
The fireplace roared again as this time, Remus Lupin came through. "Where's Harry, have you rescued him?"
"I've got him, Remus," Sirius informed.
"Cub…" Remus gave Harry a hug. "Are you safe? Why are you here?" He eyed the Malfoy's and Severus intently.
"Settle down, you two…The Malfoy's, nor Severus, have done anything to me but help," Harry mentioned. "I'll explain if you relax."
Remus and Sirius, reluctantly, calmed down as everyone took a seat; the trip seemingly postponed for a bit longer. "Tell us, Harry," Remus invited.
"He was being abused by his muggle relatives," Severus remarked. "Narcissa and Lucius took him out of the house and here, then called me to help heal him."
"Basically." Harry agreed.
"Abused?..." Sirius glared. "Where are they! I'll risk Azkaban again to deal with them. How dare they harm my pup!"
"Sirius, sit down and be quiet," Remus sighed, shaking his head. "Enough took place just to break you out, risking Harry ending up there for such an act. So you will not do anything of the sort." He ordered as Sirius grumbled, still furious. "Harry…When did the abuse start?"
"Years ago," Harry said gently.
"Why didn't you ever say anything to me in third year? To another teacher, Dumbledore even?" Remus pushed.
Harry looked down. "He did tell Dumbledore," Severus commented. "The old fool did nothing, and told Harry to stay there because of the blood wards provided by Lily's sister."
"Dumbledore did…Nothing?" Sirius asked.
"I saw the memories myself, Black," Severus informed. "As it stands, I'm Harry's guardian."
"Absolutely not," Sirius refused. "Harry is my godson, Snape; he will be staying with me and Remus. I have legal right over him and I'll not be letting him go again. I don't care what Dumbledore has set in place."
"Sirius, Dumbledore didn't assign Professor Snape to be my guardian; he doesn't even know about it." Harry sighed. "I-I asked him to take me in." Okay, that was a lie and Severus, nor the Malfoy's understood why Harry would tell Sirius that.
"Harry…" Sirius said with surprise. "I offered you a place with me in third year…"
"But you're a felon, Sirius…" Harry reminded. "The moment I stay with you, they find me and you by default. You'll get shut back in prison and sentenced to the dementor's kiss just over the escape itself." He said. "You know it's true. And I can't be with Remus because of his lycanthropy." Harry stated. "Professor Snape was my only option to keep you out of prison, and me out of the Dursley's. I asked him to take guardianship over me and he, graciously, agreed."
"I can keep us safe, Harry," Sirius promised.
"And I can't risk you," Harry told him gently, sadly even. "You can still come see me anytime…Professor Snape isn't going to restrict my contact or visiting with you. He knows how much you mean to me."
Sirius sighed, but finally nodded to Harry's request, hugging him again. "Harry, if I may ask…" Remus started and Harry nodded for him to go ahead. "With the death of your parents and my condition, and Sirius's status…Shouldn't your guardianship automatically be under Dumbledore?"
"It is, technically. We learned at the bank on Monday that Dumbledore had become my magical guardian and only allowed the Dursley's to have custody over me on his say so. They never wanted me there, and made sure I never forgot it," Harry explained. "However, Dumbledore leaving me with them and he knew about the abuse…We have started an investigation on him, to permanently remove him as my guardian. With the investigation, Snape has been listed as my temporary guardian until the process finishes, where we're sure Dumbledore will be stripped of his guardianship over me, at which time; Snape will be made it permanently."
"Or you could have it transferred to me…The person you're supposed to be with and were supposed to be with since your parents' death." Sirius mumbled.
"We're working on clearing your name, cousin," Narcissa told him. "But for now, it's best you stay hidden and not drag Harry into the life of being on the run. We want Dumbledore thinking he's still got control over Harry."
"Manipulative bastard," Lucius scoffed.
"Let's not throw shade," Remus sighed.
"It's true, wolf," Severus seethed. "Dumbledore has been controlling Harry's life ever since his parents were killed. We heard everything from Harry, and as soon as we can; we're going to shove it in the old coot's face and get him arrested for a lot of things."
"He truly can't be trusted, can he?" Sirius asked.
"No," Harry told his godfather. "Everything will be alright, Sirius. We know what we're doing and I've got some power in places that Dumbledore won't expect."
"Explain?" Remus questioned.
"Harry has taken up the Potter Lordship, and he became eligible for the Slytherin Lordship too." Lucius informed. "Dumbledore has no idea."
"Potter I knew of…James had it before he died, but Slytherin?" Sirius asked.
"The original heir was Voldemort, but Harry beat him years ago when the curse rebounded, so that makes him the new heir and now lord," Severus said.
"Weird," Sirius remarked.
"So, what's with all the bags?" Remus asked. "Leaving the Malfoy Manor, Harry?"
"We're going to Potter Manor," Harry said.
"What happened to keeping the amount of people who know to low numbers?" Severus countered.
"My uncle and godfather can know. I'm sure Sirius already knew anyway," Harry shrugged.
"Potter Manor? Of course I know of it. I spent a lot of time there during my Hogwarts days. Beautiful place. Remus knows it too." Sirius chuckled. "I could stay with you there, Harry. I know the layout, all the passages and secrets…"
"I wish you could, Sirius," Harry said gently.
"I can. I don't have to stay where I am, pup. Snape can keep his guardianship over you-," Sirius began.
"Sirius, it's not safe. I know you'd never tell anyone where I am, but if we want things to go off without a problem; I need you to play your role of staying in hiding. Dumbledore has tabs on you, I'm sure…If he doesn't, it'll look very suspicious if you're suddenly not living where Dumbledore knows you are. I don't want to see him threaten calling the aurors to bring you back in just to get to me." Harry explained. "We can still write, and visit one another…But not for anything will I risk you," He said.
"Harry, I'm a survivor…" Sirius tried.
"I know, so I need you to survive a little longer until you're cleared from charges. When Dumbledore can't use anything against you; he had enough pull to get you a trial all those years ago, and he didn't. I blame him for you getting sent to Azkaban for twelve years. I'll never forgive him for it either." Harry said lightly. "Listen to me. You're my godfather, Sirius. I love you…So I won't risk losing you for good. I honestly, with all I've been through, don't think I could handle it. So please, don't fight me on this?"
Sirius saw the desperation and concern in his godson's green eyes. Harry was truly scared to lose him and admitted to everyone in the room that he wouldn't be alright if Sirius got put back in prison or killed. Sirius looked at Remus, who was giving him a look to say that he better just agree. "Alright, Harry…But stay in contact, do you hear? I want updates, weekly, at least. I need to know you're okay, and of course, when I can visit? Remus too?" Sirius said.
"I promise," Harry nodded, moving in to hug his godfather again. "Thank you…"
"You're welcome, pup," Sirius closed his eyes, holding the hug a little longer then placed a light kiss on the side of Harry's head. "You take care of my godson, Snape…Or I swear on James and Lily's graves…I will kill you."
"You don't have to worry about me taking care of Harry, Black. I've been doing it for a long time." Severus remarked.
"Look, I know you don't like me-," Sirius started.
"Like you? I despise you, Black. In fact, I think I dislike you more than I did James Potter and that's saying something." Severus glared. "You should be in Azkaban for what you did to me. Muggles would call it attempted murder…" He seethed.
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked.
"It's nothing, Harry…" Sirius informed.
"Don't you dare lie to him; he deserves to know that his godfather is the one who sent me to find a transformed Lupin and had it not been for his father deciding to do the right thing, I would be dead," Severus stated.
Harry looked at Sirius. "Is that true? You…Sent Severus after Remus, knowing it was a night he was transformed?"
"I take no pride in things, Harry. It was a long time ago and my younger self was not a nice person. I regret every day my decision that night. It was foolish and stupid, your father located me immediately and told me off about what I'd done. It was then we all realized that what we were doing wasn't funny…We changed our ways." Sirius explained.
"Did they?" Harry asked Severus.
"They did. Your father and I still butt heads, but it was your average teenage rivalry. Like you and Draco, or how it used to be." Severus confirmed.
"Severus," Sirius began. "I am truly, deeply sorry for my transgressions against you in school. What I did was petty, low, and you have every right to hate me for it. I won't ask your forgiveness, but can we forget the past to put both our efforts into protecting Harry?"
"For Harry, and only that reason will I tolerate you, Black." Severus said. "I have nothing against you, Lupin, despite being part of the group. You were the wise one always trying to get them to behave…"
"I thank you, Severus. I too will be working in this endeavor to protect Harry. No harm will come to my cub," Remus stated.
"I'm sorry…I have to ask. Why do you both call Harry pup and cub?" Draco spoke up.
"Due to me being a werewolf, and close to Harry like an uncle; wolves call their young cubs. I don't have a pack of my own, so the people I came close to are who I consider family." Remus stated.
"And my animagus form is a dog, and being Harry's godfather…I call him my pup." Sirius said afterward.
"Ah," Draco nodded, understanding. "Sev is my godfather," He shrugged. "But my only nickname is Dragon, which only my mother uses."
"Hearing that Severus himself is a godfather, I feel better about the arrangement for him to be Harry's guardian," Sirius remarked.
"Doubting my abilities to take care of Potter?" Severus inquired.
"You don't seem the type to manage children well, despite being a teacher…I've heard stories from Harry about how much he feels like you single him out as the one you pick on," Sirius informed.
"Harry and I have thus discussed that matter and have reached an understanding of one another. Things will be different, I realize I was unfair to him." Severus claimed.
"Don't hurt my godson, Snape…" Sirius reminded.
"Sirius…" Harry warned. "Stop it. He's not going to hurt me…You can trust him. If you trust me, you can trust when I say that he can be trusted."
"I'm not sold on those two," Sirius pointed to Draco and Lucius.
"Neither am I, but we're…Working on it." Harry said. "They saved my life, that's enough for me."
"Fine with me," Remus agreed.
"I suppose it works for me…" Sirius eyed Lucius.
"Good. Now, both of you get back to where you're staying so Dumbledore doesn't get suspicious. We're off to Potter Manor. I'll send word when settled." Harry told them.
"We look forward to it," Remus stood up, then Sirius did too. Harry hugged them both once more before they stepped back into the fireplace.
"I love you, Harry," Sirius said.
"Love you too, Sirius, and you as well, Uncle Remy," Harry replied as Remus beamed at the name before dragging Sirius to the fireplace.
"Connect our fireplaces when you get settled, Harry!" Sirius yelled as Remus called out their destination, then threw down the powder and they were swallowed up by the green flames.
Harry chuckled a little, then sighed. "Are you alright, Potter?" Severus asked.
"Mmhm," Harry nodded. "I have always wanted to live with him; he offered it in third year to me before Lupin transformed…I agreed, at the time. But he's still a wanted felon, and trying to make it work would only complicate matters more. It's better this way."
"Very wise of you," Lucius complimented.
"Thanks, I think," Harry said. "Well then, are we ready?"
"Hold on," Severus flicked his want to shrink down the items to be taken with them to the manor. Harry grabbed his stuff and Severus sent his into a single suitcase.
Harry lifted his hand up and looked at the others. "Gather round and hang on tight," Harry told them. The group got close, holding onto each other. Severus had his hand on Harry's shoulder, while Narcissa linked her arm to Harry's while using her hand to hold Draco's hand, and then Lucius had his one hand on Narcissa's shoulder and the other on Draco's. Harry turned his ring upside down so the symbol was upright with the underside of his right hand. Harry closed his fist around it tightly. "Home." Harry said. The familiar naval tug hit them all as they were gone with what sounded like the crackle of electricity.
. . .
The landing was a little rough as Harry ended up steadied by Severus while Lucius made sure Draco didn't fall. Harry's only time using a portkey had been during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He didn't like it then, but maybe more times using it would make it easier. Harry shook off the feeling and finally looked ahead to find himself staring at the large silver gates, which just behind was the Potter Manor. Harry took in the large P on the middle of the gate; it matched his ring. Harry flipped the right back around and hesitantly held it up to the gate's middle where the doors met and closed. Taking a deep breath, he pressed the ring against the cold metal and watched as there was a flash and the doors began to open on their own. Harry took a step forward over the threshold and felt a warm and welcome air around him as he took in the glorious house before him.
"Harry, you alright?" Draco asked.
"I-I'm…Home," Harry smiled.
And he truly was. This was his home and he absolutely felt that it was home to him. Not a house he would be living at, this was home.