Sirius brushed his hair back looking down the lawn of Malfoy Manor. He and Harry were at the front gate, waiting for his second to arrive, Lord Greengrass. Sirius felt a lump in his stomach. This was a huge gamble. He knew, well more of he hoped he was a better duelist than Lucius. Narcissa who wasn't here, because she said she just couldn't watch, had stated her soon not to be husband was an average duelist, not bad but nothing to write home about. Sirius knew he was good, had bested more Death Eaters during the war than any other besides Moody and Dumbledore himself. He had the advantage but this was duelling, a slip of the foot or a wrong idea and he would lose.
Also being distracted was really bad, so he was glad having talked to Dumbledore yesterday, even though he didn't like it.
"Sirius." The voice of the old man made him stop, halfway to the exit of the chamber. Harry had come up next to him, as well as his Proxy, Narcissa, who glared at the old man, who approached them. The headmaster smiled at Harry.
"Oh yes, congratulations Harry on your title and everything." The boy nodded, smiling at his headmaster and the grandfatherly figure he was for him still.
"Thank you, headmaster. The Prophet will have a field day with this I guess." A small tingle of blush rose to Harry's cheeks. This would be one more thing in the legend of Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived. The old man nodded, looking at him apologetic.
"Yes, I'm afraid that is bound to happen." He turned his eyes to Narcissa, who had crossed her arms, staring at the old man. She didn't like the geezer, never had and would never happen.
"Lady Malfoy." He nodded to her once, getting a nod in return, ever so slightly, while Narcissa raised her nose on him. Sirius chuckled. It was funny seeing her do this to people who deserved it. Then the old man turned to him again.
"Sirius, could we talk, please? It's important." The old man waved to a door on the side. Sirius nodded, turning to his cousin.
"Cissy, would you and Harry return home? I won't take long but you don't need to wait for me."
Narcissa looked down to the boy who in return nodded. He stepped closer, hugging Sirius shortly.
He whispered into the dark green folds of his robe while nuzzling into the comforting smell of his godfather.
"See you later Padfoot." The man chuckled, leaning down and planting a loving kiss on Harry's head, smelling the familiar smell of the boy's shampoo.
"Sure thing Prongslet." Then Harry stepped back and waved at Albus Dumbledore, who smiled under his half-moon glasses.
"Have a nice day professor." "You too young Harry." He watched the boy leave with the tall black-blond woman before he turned to Sirius and they walked to the side door. Behind it was a simple office, used when during breaks in the Wizengamot the officials had to discuss anything. The old man made his way to the middle and sat down in one of two armchairs before Sirius sat opposite him. The younger man crossed his legs and raised his eyebrow at Dumbledore saying nothing.
"Sirius, do you think this is wise?" Sirius tilted his head.
"What do you mean...Albus?"
The old man frowned a little. He wasn't called by his first name very often. Severus and Minerva and a few others, old friends did that but other than that none. But since he insisted on calling Sirius by his first name, the black-haired man would be damned if he didn't return it to him in kind.
"Well, leaving young Harry with Lady Malfoy. Her husband is-" Sirius waved away the sentence while interrupting.
"going to be dealt with. Narcissa is my cousin and I trust her. So yes it is wise and it would be wise for you to not insult a member of House Black again."
The small threat hung in the room for a few seconds, while they both eyed the other. Then Dumbledore sighed, nodding slowly.
"You are right. Everyone deserves a second chance, I apologize." Sirius nodded, while folding his hands in his lap, just waiting. This had been one of the first lessons his grandfather had taught him. Be comfortable with silence. The first one to break it is the first one to lose. That was the way of politics. After a moment Dumbledore blinked and took a deep breath.
"So, I wanted to talk to you about Harry." Again silence returned, while Sirius only raised one eyebrow again, waiting calmly. Inside he was already boiling. He knew that old manipulative bastard would try something anything to return Harry to his own playing field and he wanted to rip that fucking beard of that fucking face.
"We have to decide what should be done about his future. He has a great destiny and-"
"No." Sirius interrupted firmly but quiet, not loud, not yelling not even raising his voice but he made it clear that this was not a question.
"No?" Dumbledore stumbled a little. Sirius nodded slowly, looking into the half-moon glassed eyes.
"Yes, no." Again silence filled the room, while Sirius just waited calmly, his face void of emotion. Dumbledore shuddered a little. This was like dealing with Arcturus Black, Sirius grandfather. Dumbledore had planned for dealing with Sirius Black, the Marauder, the hot-headed friend of James Potter, the rebel, not this.
"Would you kindly elaborate on this no?" Sirius nodded, taking a deep breath.
"I said no to your proposition to be included in the decision. In the course of Harry's future, you have no say. You never had one, to begin with. Lily and James have made me his guardian. Me. Not you. You aren't even mentioned. You know that quite well. As for the destiny..." She shook his head.
"I have seen you groom James into your war. I have been pulled into it myself. I will not watch you trying to form Harry into this soldier for your war too. I know Voldemort is bound to return, but Harry will stay out of this fight."
"Now now, Sirius isn't this something that should be discussed? I mean the boy has shown so much potential an-"
Now Sirius' eyes did flare up.
"Potential? You mean like the potential of fighting Voldemort at the age of eleven? Like fighting a troll? Like killing a basilisk at the age of twelve? He is a child you "great puppetmaster", not your plaything not a piece on your fucking chessboard, a child you placed with these god damn stains on humanity."
Dumbledore who never liked vulgar wording blinked a little annoyed.
"With stains of humanity, I believe you mean the Dursley family." Now Sirius jumped to his feet, yelling at the old man.
"Of course I mean the fucking Dursleys. Why the fuck did you think that would be in any case or form be a good place for him? When even Lils, her OWN sister! deemed it a bad place for him?"
Dumbledore raised his hands, trying to calm the man down a little.
"Sirius, Sirius, please calm down. There had been reasons for me doing what I did. I know they are not ideal an-"
"Not ideal? NOT IDEAL? It was hell for him! It is Hell for him even now! He hasn't talked about it much yet, I don't think he is ready, but don't you think I didn't see the little label stating "Harry's room" over the fucking cupboard under the stairs when I was there. Or the fact that this piece of filth Vernon has hit him! That isn't "not ideal" that is an abusive household and there is NO reason to put him there."
Albus blinked thinking about what he had heard. He knew it wasn't nice but he heard about the cupboard or abuse for the first time. This was disturbing. But the blood wards were the best defense Harry would have when Voldemort returned so he needed to go back.
"This looks in indeed bad and there have to be adjustments but it is very important for Harry to return there so h-"
"RETURN? Did you not listen? ARE YOU DEAF? They HIT him. From what I gathered from Remus who in return was notified by the Weasley twins, they locked him in a room and STARVED him! When I asked him if he wanted to live with me he instantly accepted. Without knowing me! Without caring where we lived and how we did it! Who does that? He hates the place, he fears the place. He will NOT return there EVER!" The younger man bellowed walking around the armchair because he wasn't sure he wouldn't attack this old fool if there wasn't a barrier between the two of them.
Now Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head.
"Sirius, I don't like this either and I know this isn't what we want for him, but the place is warded to the brim by Lil with blood wards. It is completely impossible for Voldemort to ever enter that house as long as Harry calls it his home. That is why I placed him there an-"
"I! DON'T! CARE! He will NOT return there. When I took him in I promised he would never have to return to that place and I will not break the most important promise I will ever make to my godson. I have made a statement to the Ministry that under no circumstances Harry would return there. This statement was approved by the Department of Childcare. Even if I die, Harry will not return there. It has been made waterproof and sound. This is final. You can't make any argument that will change that. This statement is even signed by Harry himself. Even I can't revoke it, not that I would ever want to."
Dumbledore stared into these glaring eyes, staring into them before sighing.
"It saddens me that you place so little value into Harry's safety." For a moment it went silent again while Sirius tried his best to comprehend. Then he exploded.
"Wh-...WHAT?" The floorboard arched under the pressure of his magic. He didn't care that this was Albus Dumbledore, defeater of Grindelwald, mightiest Wizard in the world. His magic flared up and he needed his entire will not to jump over the chair and strangle the old bastard.
"Me not placing value in Harry's safety? I adore the boy! I would gladly give my life for him! House Black is a fortress! No One, NO ONE can touch him in there! But this isn't about Harry being safe isn't it you cranky old geezer isn't it?" Dumbledore frowned looking up.
"This is about you! This is about something not going your way. You can't accept that you aren't the perfect puppet-master who should be obeyed because Albus Dumbledore knows best! Harry's safety my ass, you don't give a rats ass about his safety!"
Albus frowned more, shaking his head.
"I place the highest value on Harry's safety I-"
Sirius raised his hand counting on his fingers.
"Fighting a troll, fighting Voldemort while being a wraith drinking unicorn blood, fighting Voldemort while possessing one of your fucking teachers, almost dying to a rough bludger, fighting a Basilisk you can't tell me didn't recognize , fighting Voldemort a third time in three years, being attacked by Dementors four times! Tell me ohhhh great Dumbledore how well did you do keeping my godson safe? How well did your precious blood wards keep Voldemort away from Lilys and James' son? You did rats ass!"
Dumbledore slumped back, raising his slightly shaking hand to his forehead. He wanted to argue, couldn't really. He had failed to keep Harry safe. All the things Sirius stated, happened right under his nose. He should have been there, should have stopped all these things. The boy shouldn't have needed to do any of this. He should have to worry about tests and what girl liked him not about a Dark Lord and Monsters.
"I am sorry I-"
Sirius turned to the door, walking over, yanking it open.
"We are done here." Then he stopped.
"It's not me you need to say sorry to." And with that he left Albus Dumbeldore behind, walking home to his beloved godson.
Sirius brushed his hand over his godson's shoulder, smiling at him. The boy looked up and returned the affectionate smile, nodding once.
"Lord Black." He turned watching Lord Greengrass walk up to them. He wore formal and expensive but simple robes in the full green of his House with golden trimming. On his chest was the Crest of House Greengrass a Stallion on a green field. Sirius himself wore dark green dragon-leather duelling robes, the Black crest embroidered on his back. Harry wore similar clothes, while not being dragon-leather, these were also adorned with the Black House crest. This was a matter of house Black after all.
Sirius stepped forward, smiling.
"Lord Greengrass, thank you for coming." The man nodded, shaking Sirius' hand. He was tall, with a straight back and stern eyes. His blond hairline was retreating but still there and he wore a short beard. His face was a little like a knife, hard and unmoving.
"Of course." He then turned to Harry and his eyes focused a little more. That boy was more reason of being here than the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, while it was important. He stretched out his hand looking at the boy.
"Lord Peverell. Or is it Heir Black? Or Mr Potter?" Harry smiled, taking the hand of the man in a firm grip. He had the feeling that would go down well with the man while nodding.
"Lord Peverell it is for now. While I love Lord Black for taking me in, I want to build my own strength as well. When the day comes, hopefully in the far future, when I become Lord Black as well it will be Peverell-Black." Harry said firmly while letting go of the hand. Lord Greengrass nodded, folding his hands behind his back. It was a good answer.
"Very well. Shall we begin?"
The three of them made their way through the front gate with the Malfoy crest and walked up to the Manor. It was a white house with dark spiking roofs and high hedges around it. The path leading to the building was lined with gravel and it crunched under their boots.
They didn't talk at all during this walk, coming up to the four persons standing in front of the manor. There was, of course, Lucius Malfoy himself, equally wearing dragon-leather dueling robes but in the moss green of House Malfoy. His blond hair was flowing in the wind and he was looking determined. Next to him, wearing similar cloth was his son Draco, staring daggers at the boy who walked up to his home. He had a disgusted look on his face and his eye twitched a little. The next in line was Theodore Nott Senior a man with a grumpy look like a just woken cat. His hair was brown and he had a scar from his left ear down to his jaw.
The last in line was a goblin of Gringotts, apparently the impartial judge. Sirius, Greengrass and Harry walked up to the four, stopping a few feet away.
"Black."
"Malfoy." Both men nodded at each other before Lucius Malfoy nodded once more to Lord Greengrass and just glared at Harry. The goblin stepped between the two of them.
"Good morning honoured Lords. This is an honour duel between the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black and the Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy. The rule states the duel will end with first blood. Killing your opponent is forbidden. Should both combatants be knocked out, this duel has to be redone until there is a winner. Should either one drop his wand willingly and or utter a verbal surrender the duel will be over. Should one of you be disarmed or knocked out the duel is over. Lord Black's second is Lord Greengrass of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass. Lord Malfoy's second is Lord Nott of the Noble House of Nott. My name is Grampuk and I'm the impartial judge for this contest." The goblin snapped and a large dome appeared on the lawn in front of Malfoy Manor.
"You will not be able to leave the dome once you entered it until the duel is done. Are both parties ready, or does either one want to step down?"
Silence followed the goblins request, who then nodded. Sirius and Lucius glared at each other, focused hard.
"Very well, honoured lords please take your positions. At my mark, you start."
Sirius turned from Lucius and pulled off his outer robe. Like it was custom he handed it to Lord Greengrass who in turn took it with a nod. This was Black's fist honour duel, everything else had been fighting in streets and where ever the war came to. Sirius' eyes flicked to Harry, who smiled at him and gave him one of the winks Sirius has given him so often over the last week.
Harry looked overseeing the same happen between Nott and Malfoy. Then both duelists stepped into the dome and bowed to each other. The goblin raised his hand.
"Begin!" And he snapped. Both men dashed to the side wands coming up.
"Reducto" "Stupefy" The shot at each other, dogging at the same time. Sirius flicked his wand to the side casting a transfiguration and turning the floor under Malfoy to mud. The man stepped to the left, shooting a stunner at Sirius, who in return dodged.
Again he transfigured, not casting any spell at his opponent. A tall wall erupted from the ground and pushed Malfoy towards the mud again. With a flick, the man dispelled the wall only to be slammed by a second right behind it.
Harry blinked. He had seen the exact same tactic only a few days ago. Sirius had taken him to the world duelling tournament. It had been the finals. One of the duelists in the final had been a shaggy looking forty-two-year-old from New Zealand, Mr Jacob Swing. His opponent had been young only seventeen years old. Looking sick almost gaunt like, with brown shoulder-length hair and deep grey-blue eyes. His name had been Thomas Kurfürst and he was the young duelling sensation from Germany.
In that duel, Mr Swing had done exactly the same thing, the swamp, the double wall. After that, he had made another wall on the other side, before freezing the ground, stopping the movements of his opponent.
It was a solid and well-done strategy. Sadly the hard slamming curse the man had used, planning on ending the duel with it hadn't knocked the young teen out but had him with a concussion and blurry sight. The duel had ended seconds later when the young German had flicked his wand and turned the wand and sadly the entire right arm of Mr Swing to ash. There the duel had been stopped. Kurfürst had looked rather shaken by the event, running up to his opponent yelling something in German. The judges had argued quite a bit about this, but had deemed it an accident and announcing Ulrich Kurfürst as the winner of the tournament. The boy had taken the trophy quite begrudgingly stating to the international press this wasn't the way he wanted to win at all. Still, the papers were quick at pressing the name Ashbringer on the boy, a poorly picked name in Harry's opinion.
Obviously, his godfather had taken inspiration from the duelling finals and used the same tactic against Lucius Malfoy. He also conjuncted the second pillar of rock and froze the ground. But from there it as all Sirius original. He shot a quick slapping charm against the hands of his opponent, followed by a sticking charm. The Wand of Lord Malfoy and his hands were plastered against the pillar. He then quickly cast a silencing charm over Malfoys head. Everyone outside stared wide-eyed at what happened.
Lord Greengrass raised an eyebrow. He knew Sirius Black was a well know duellist and fighter back in the war, but this had been impressive and calculated. He had incapacitated his opponent in a quick but brilliant way, leaving him unable to fight and to surrender.
Draco called out from the other side of the dome, glaring at him."What the hell? He can't fight anymore, the duel is over!"
Greengrass impressed with Lord Black's tactic shook his head."Your father isn't disarmed, he is not unconscious, nor has first blood been drawn. The duel is not over."
The blond boy glared at the older man huffing.
"Bloody bullshit. Do something Dad!"
Sirius stepped closer, slowly calmly, while he kept a careful eye on his opponent. He knew he was cocky but this was something that needed to be done. This duel wasn't about him, this was about his family about his Cissy. He stopped in front of the other man, who was silently yelling at him glaring and trying to break free. Sirius looked him deep into the eyes.
"This is for Cissy." And he slammed his fist into the right eye of the man, the exact same eye this stain of a husband had bruised with his filthy hand when he had hit Sirius beloved cousin. It felt so good slamming his knuckels into this arrogant snarling evil face, slamming the head back. Due to the sticking charms on the rocks, Lucius did not tumble down and when his face turned again already a big red mark appeared on his face. Blood was leaking from the nose of this smug pureblood asshole.
Sirius grinned, winning this duel the muggle way was another big finger towards this arrogant tosser. The voice of the goblin bellowed over the lawn.
"The duel is over. Winner: Lord Black."