Sirius raised his head when he heard movement. It was rainy outside and a strong wind was blowing. He was half sitting half lying in an armchair, in front of a warm fire. Deep rings were under his grey eyes and his hands folded over his knee. He turned his head, looking at his friend.
Remus looked like shit when he rose from the couch. His skin was pale, he also had deep rings under his eyes; his movements were slow and deliberate, speaking of tiredness that was buried deep in his bones. Remus rubbed his face, sighing powerless. Sirius said nothing, just holding his tea in hand and watching his oldest friend. While Remus looked like death warmed over, Sirius wasn't overly worried. His friend was always like this after a full moon. The transformation put him through hell, was painful and gruesome, so he was beat after it. Remus rubbed his face again before turning to Sirius.
"Morning." He said pulling the blanket closer around himself and raising from his resting place. His knees were a little wobbly as he made his way over to the other armchair, opposite of Sirius. With another sigh he sat down, wrapping himself in the blanket. Sirius smirked and tapped against his chair with his wand. With a pop, Kreacher appeared handing Remus a cup of hot chocolate. The werewolf smiled.
"Thank you, Kreacher." He mumbled. The elf stood straight, nodding once.
"Kreacher does as Master commands. Any more Kreacher can do?" He asked looking towards Sirius, who only shook his head.
"It's fine Kreacher." The black-haired man said, making the elf bow deeply before he disappeared. Remus took a sip, relaxing and enjoying the warmth and sweetness rushing through his body. This felt good. In fact, the entire night had been better than most. Being here with Padfoot had really helped him. The wolf had been a lot calmer, now that some of his pack was here. Also, he was sure Sirius had carried him to the couch to sleep. Normally he was alone during these times and he would sleep where he lost conscious, probably on the floor in some remote forest and far away from anyone. This was so much better. And having Pads it had almost been like before. It was good having someone. It was good and he hadn't even realised how much he missed him being there. He looked over at his friend.
Sirius had changed a lot. His behaviour was so much more intense. His back was straight, his posture controlled. Long gone was the boy who made a point to looked like he didn't care what others thought, who tended to wear his shirts open to present his chest, who had always a cool aura around himself. Instead, he was every inch the Lord he was. Carrying himself with a grace that he had learned for years as a boy, aloft and proud. He was a true Black. Also, even though Remus had only met him once, the werewolf saw Sirius grandfather in him. He had the same sensation of being with a real nobleman when he saw Sirius now. But there was more, all these changes were superficial. The truth was deep in Sirius' eyes.
There was a sadness in them, and loneliness. Sadness about all that was lost, the friend buried and the years went by without him. The loneliness of Azkaban hasn't left his friend entirely. It was still there, peeking around the corner from time to time. Remus knew that his friend still had nightmares about it, remembering the cold halls and dark cells. Dreaming of these dreadful creatures that haunted these halls. Sirius had told his friend that he had voted for Peter to be put to death. Said he didn't even wish the traitor such a horrible fate. It was one of the few things Sirius said about the time in the darkness. He spoke rarely about it and never when Harry was near.
That was also a change. Yes, Sirius had always loved Harry but now he was devoted to the boy. It was heartwarming how much Sirius cared for him. His godson was Sirius' whole purpose. Everything he did, everything he moved, he moved for Harry. It was like he thought of Azkaban as a deserved punishment for giving Harry away all these years ago, damning him to a life with the Dursleys. Remus took another sip and sighed again when a faint chuckle came from Sirius. Remus raised an eyebrow.
"Something funny Black?" He asked with a weak but teasing voice. Sirius smirked and took a sip from his own cup.
"You were always such a chocolate lover. Great that some things never change." The black-haired man said, looking in his cup. Remus smiled himself. It was true he had an enormous sweet tooth when it came to the sweet sensation of chocolate. He looked also in his cup.
"It is a good cup, so sue me." He retorted. Sirius snorted.
"My own solicitor? No, I think I will pass on that. One day you will lose your teeth to those you know that right?" Sirius was still grinning, there was his fun-loving persona. You could put Sirius Black through years of suffering, you could make him a Lord and all the changes and powers could come, and still, Sirius was Sirius. Remus shrugged a little wincing slightly due to his sore body.
"So what, it never failed in cheering me up and came in handy quite often."
Sirius raised an eyebrow, looking over unconvinced.
"When did chocolate ever come in handy?" he said.
Remus smirked back. "Well, there were the few moments during school. Lisa Greyhead was charmed when I produced chocolate. Or Jennifer Gallfield."
Sirius grunted a little, winking at his friend. "So and recently?"
Remus chuckled, sipping once more.
"Well, there was the incident with Harry on the Express. In fact, whenever he came to my office he got some. The boy likes it too you know?"
At that Sirius laughed, setting down his own cup.
"That I was aware of. Remember when we were over to James and Lils back then?"
Of course, Remus remembered.
"Say Padfoot," Sirius said crouched down, staring into his godson's emerald eyes. Little Harry had his fist stuffed in his mouth staring back at the tall black-haired man. Sirius leather jacket was thrown over a backrest, only the Led Zeppelin shirt on his upper body. His long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail and his grey eyes were focused on the small child. Harry looked at him with the awe only newborns have. He made a short gurgling noise. Sirius shook his head.
"No, Padfoot. Come on this isn't that hard. Pad-foot. Say it with me Harry, Paaaaad-fooooot."
"Moo-ey." Little Harry babbled out, a little bit of drool on his lips. Sirius groaned rubbing his face.
"No Harry, Padfoot. Paaadfoot."
"Moo-ey" The baby said again, waving his little tiny hand. Remus laughed standing behind Sirius.
"Give it up Pads. He likes his uncle Mooney better. Am I right little Prongs?" The werewolf smirked.
"Moo-ey!" Harry called out, flailing his hand at the brown-haired man. Sirius frowned.
"That is not right. I am his godfather, he should like me best." For that Remus swatted him on the back of his head.
"Don't be a prat Pads. That is not how it works." To his surprise, Sirius didn't disagree but deflated a little.
"Yeah, I know Rem. It's just...I want him to like me you know? I love him so much." Sirius looked really defeated, but Remus only rolled his eyes. Padfoot could be such a drama queen. Everything always was the end of the world to him. Like in the sixth year when Bones broke up with him. Already end of the world. Remus clapped him on the shoulder.
"Oh shut up Sirius. You know full well he loves you. There is a reason his stuffed dog is his favourite plushy. Maybe you should get it for little Prongs here? He will love that." Remus pointed out. The black-haired man was out of his chair in an instant, leaving the room. Remus stepped closer and secretly put something into Harry's little baby hands. Sirius not completely out of the room turned.
"What did you just do Rem?" He asked, suspicion in his voice. Remus was the picture of innocence, just looking surprised. It was a long-trained move, using it to get them out of trouble more than once when an angry McGonagall was staring at them, fuming because they had turned her classroom pink, or had books laugh at Slughorn whenever he opened them, burnt the end of professor Flitwicks beard, making two second years, Lockhart and McGovern get lost in a room for three days and many many more moments.
"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about Mr Padfoot." He said with a smile. Sadly for Remus, it was that moment that Harry in his eagerness to stuff it in his mouth lost the grip around what Remus had given him and it plopped onto the floor. Staring at Sirius was a brown piece of chocolate.
"Remus..." Sirius said quietly. The brown-haired man blinked.
"Sirius I can-"
"Did you condition my godson with chocolate to say your name?" Sirius asked low, stalking closer. Remus swallowed, turning a little red in his face.
"Well, you could say that. Other would argue that I merely gave little Prongs some sweets at convenient moments."
Sirius stepped even closer, his eyes glaring at Remus, his hands stretched out.
"Hand them over." He hissed, his gaze unreadable. Remus blinked.
"Sirius I..."
"Hand...them...over." Sirius said slowly. Remus sighed and handed over the bar of chocolate from his pocket. With a flash, Sirius glare turned into a grin and he crouched back down in front of Harry in his little high chair. He held out a piece of chocolate so that the toddler could see it and immediately the tiny hands were stretched out, making grabbing motions. Sirius shook his head, smiling pulling the chocolate a little back out of reach.
"Now Harry, I will give you this if you can say Padfoot. Paaadfooooot, just nice and easy."
Harry stared at him, his hands still grabbing for the chocolate. Remus rolled his eyes at his best friend.
"Say Padfoot, Harry, come on do it for uncle Sirius. Padfo-"
"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!" Hollered a female voice through the room. The black-haired man flinched looking over his shoulder and his face paled a little. In the door, almost burning in fury was a red-haired woman. Lily Potters hair was in a ponytail and she wore a simple apron with a small flower decoration. She stepped closer, making Sirius step back a little.
"Lily this is not-"
But she cut him off, pointing at him.
"Are you trying to train my baby boy like a dog? Like a circus animal?" Her voice was filled with fury. Sirius stepped back even further.
"Really I can explain." He tried getting the table between the two of them. She stepped to her baby, looking down and for a moment her fury was gone. Harry had always this calming effect on her.
"Explain fast Black. And it better be good."
Sirius looked left and right, searching for an escape route, looking pleadingly at Remus. The werewolf only shook his head. He would have to find out of it himself.
"Remus did it first." Sirius blurted out childish. Lily's eyes flared up again.
"That is your excuse? Harry is a baby, not your pet!" She produced her wand pointing it at Remus. The brown-haired man had tried sneaking out, while the redhead was still focused on his friend.
"And where are you thinking you are going, Mr Lupin? I somehow expected something like this from Sirius but I expected you to be better Lupin." Remus froze and looked back at her. She then got this vicious smile, waving her wand.
"So you think it is funny treating my boy like an animal? We will see how funny it is to you."
James Potter came back two hours later, finding his son giggling while the boy clapped his little tiny hand in glee at the two men covered in bird feathers and with beaks.
"Hard to forget the worst hexing Lily has ever given us." Remus said with a soft smile, his eyes watching the dancing flames in the hearth. Sirius barked out a laughter.
"Yeah, it was pretty bad, but she was right. We were stupid back then."
Both friends nod and then the silence filled the air between the two men. None said something for quite some time until Sirius broken voice was there.
"I miss them so much Rem."
Remus looked over at his last oldest friend. Sirius pressed his hands together, the knuckles white. His eyes were red and tears were streaming down his cheeks. The black-haired man sniffed and looked over to Remus with a gaze that said save me. But Remus had no idea how to save him. He had to spend years trying to cope with the life that had broken into pieces over a decade ago and still had no answers. He had no idea what to do, no idea what would release Sirius from the grieve that pressed down on the man. From the feeling of guilt and shame of being the ones that survived while their friends had died all these years ago. There was only one thing he could say when tears filled his own eyes.
"Me too, Padfoot. Me too."
Narcissa walked down Diagon Alley. She pulled out an antique watch that had been passed on to her by her mother when she had been a young girl. It was noon. Sirius would be home pretty soon. Probably. Of course, her cousin hadn't told her when he would be back and Narcissa had no idea how long the transformation of a werewolf lasted. Of course not, she was a well-respected member of society. She didn't mingle with such people normally, but Siri was Siri, so there was nothing to do about it. But at least she could keep her distance.
The lady wore a deep blue dressing robe, the Peverell and Black sigils embroidered over her heart. Her high heeled boots clicked on the pavement while she strode on. There were a few things to take care off. Walking like she owned the place, Narcissa opened the door to Flourish and Blotts, moving inside. It was quiet in the bookshop like it usually was. Only during the summer, when all the children bought their school books, was it filled to the brim with people. The tall woman made her way straight to the counter. The man behind it looked up and smiled when he recognized her.
"Lady Ma...Miss Black, apologies, it will take some time getting used to. How may I help you?" The man's smile didn't waver, as he set down the book he had been writing in. Narcissa Black was not a regular customer but she was well known. The blond tall woman smiled a curt smile and nodded.
"I would like to order a book. "Family History of House Peverell by Gordon Ruckhouse." She placed down a piece of paper, on it written the title. The shopkeeper picked it up and read the words one time. He then looked over at her.
"One moment please." The man turned to the side where large books were placed. He opened one and began searching for something. After half a minute he turned back.
"We don't have the book in-store right now, it would take us a few days. Would that be acceptable?" He was still smiling. Narcissa nodded.
"That would be acceptable. Owl me when it is here. Good day." And without waiting she turned, walking out of the shop. The man's eyes were following her well-formed back end for a short while. When the door closed, the clerk's smile fell and he looked through the window at her.
"Bitch." He murmured, before turning back to his book.
Narcissa hadn't heard what the shopkeeper had said but even if she had she wouldn't have cared for it. He was a commoner, so his opinion didn't really concern her. She strode on with secure and save steps. Then she noticed a red-haired head from behind.
"Mrs Weasley." She spoke. The plump woman turned, smiling at her. She had a large bag in her hands, filled with different utilities. The woman wore knitted clothing and second-hand skirts. Narcissa bristled a little when she saw that someone would wear such a disgrace, but she knew Mrs Weasley didn't care for the latest fashion from Paris and therefore it wasn't much a surprise.
"Miss Black, wonderful meeting you here. What brings you to Diagon?" The woman asked stepping a little closer. Narcissa crossed her arms in front of her chest and also moved a little in.
"Oh, nothing special. A few orders to make and a trip to Gringotts. You, Mrs Weasley?" Narcissa was careful not to say anything too specific. It wasn't proper revealing family dealings to others, even friends of the family. The red-haired woman smiled warmly and gestured to the bag she was carrying.
"Just a few errands. Nothing of notice really, mostly groceries. I also wanted to use the opportunity to talk to my son, William."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow and Mrs Weasley gestured towards the street, signalling that they could walk together. Old Narcissa, the one that had been Lady Malfoy raised her head inside the woman. That Narcissa wouldn't have put up with being seen in public with someone of the Weasley Clan, but that was the past. She was Miss Black now and the Blacks of this day were friends with the Weasleys as Harry's friendship with the youngest son of the family was well known. Funny how things turned out. Walburga Black would probably roll in her grave if she knew what was returning to House Black that made Narcissa tolerate one of the families of known "blood-traitors". The two women walked on together.
"Ah yes, William. He is a good boy really. Finally came back from Eygpt. He had been a curse breaker there. Two years. Luckily nothing happened to him but really he shouldn't have taken the job. Far too dangerous." Mrs Weasle chatted on and Narcissa listened. Some lessons were hard to unlearn and the oldest conversation lesson was talking little and listen well. But she had to agree with the red-haired woman next to her. Cursebreaking was a dangerous profession and there were accidents and a certain amount of risk involved. Her Drake would never have been allowed to take up such a profession. Well, to be true he wouldn't work at all, it wasn't becoming for a Malfoy to work at all. Work was for the proletarians. She had to talk with Sirius about this. Harry was in the same boat now, even more since he was even higher up in the social and financial ladder than her own son. She just wished she could talk to Draco.
Mrs Weasley didn't notice her inner struggle while she kept telling.
"Now my sons have this tendency with dangerous jobs. Charlie, he is my second oldest, he works for the dragon reservations. Hasn't been at home for three years. But at least this year he will come home, they have something to do with the Triwizard Tournament. Yet, I am afraid he will come home with burn scars and I often lie awake at night, hoping he will be fine and not be hurt." The woman sighed a little. "At least Percy heard what I told him. He has a ministry job now, but he is working so much all day. He wants to prove his worth. I just hope he is okay."
Narcissa nodded. For her taste, the woman was telling her a little too much about her own. She was pretty sure that the notion that her dragon working son was in land due to the Tournament was supposed to be a secret. Maybe she should stop her.
"And you want to visit your son William? Is there a reason?"
Mrs Weasley nodded and her look got a little strained.
"My son has found a girl and I would be so happy for him, but this girl is...she doesn't seem the right kind to me."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow. What was the wrong kind for a woman like Mrs Weasley? Narcissa knew her own criteria but she knew that the Weasleys were pretty different from her.
Mrs Weasely noticed the look and waved her hand. "Oh no, I'm sure she is a nice girl, but for some reason, my son is trying to hide it from me, even though friends of mine have seen her a couple of times now. And I have to say I didn't picture my son with a girl with coloured hair and apparently she is an Auror of all things. It is almost like he is drawn to danger. And what is wrong telling his mother if there is not something wrong with the girl? I don't want some harlot to drag my son into the wrong crowd."
Narcissa stiffened, stopping from walking.
"A coloured haired Auror? Do you know her name?"
Molly Weasley only shook her head. "Only her first name, Nymphadora. Such a pompous name."
Now Narcissa was glaring at Molly Weasley. Of course, the woman had no idea but still, insulting her family wasn't acceptable.
"Mrs Weasley, for your information. That girl is in all likelihood the daughter of my sister Andromeda as well as a favourite of my cousin Lord Black. You would do well not insulting her again." The tone in her voice was ice cold and her eyes glared at the red-haired plum woman. Molly Weasley had the decency looking ashamed and her face turned red.
"I...I had no idea, I'm sorry." She spurted out. Narcissa huffed a little.
"I think it would be best if our ways part here Mrs Weasley." Whatever even small liking she had for the shorter woman was gone now. Molly Weasley quickly nodded and apologized again, before walking away quickly after a hurried goodbye.
Narcissa watched her with a frown for a short moment before she turned towards Gringotts. Her mind was still with the past conversation. If she had been more observant maybe she would have noticed the pair of eyes that watched her from the entrance of Knockturn Alley. A pair of grey crazy eyes.
Harry leaned back on his hands, looking out onto the Black Lake. The sun was surprisingly warm, so he had taken off his pullover with the Peverell sigil and sat there just on his t-shirt. For once he was almost alone. Ron and Hermione were up in the common room, Hermione helping their red-haired friend with his Herbology essay. Harry hadn't seen Cho for the entire day, so he didn't know what she was doing. So he was sitting here alone, just enjoying the day. Well of course not entirely alone. Dawn was hopping through the nearby grass, hunting some smaller bugs. Gryph was sleeping around his neck, twitching every so often when his dream made him. The snake had grown over the last couple of weeks but still was young. Dawn made a bigger hop, fluttering her wings in the attempt to catch a leaving ladybug but she came up short. Harry chuckled a little before he reached out so she would hop on his forearm. Lifting her to his face, he kissed her head for a moment.
"Didn't get it did you girl?" He whispered to her. Dawn chirped and nipped his nose in affection, making him smile.
"Hello, Harry." The boy turned his head. Sebastian was standing there, grinning at him. The older guy stepped closer and sat down on a different rock than him.
"Hi Basti, how are you?" Harry asked, placing Dawn in his lap. The small bird yawned and cuddled into him ready to sleep for a while. Sebastian stretched himself.
"A little sore but good." He said. When he saw the surprised look he grinned.
"The beds in the Schmiedegeist are a little short for me. I will have to figure out what to do about it in the next couple of days. How are you?" The taller boy looked out onto the lake.
Harry smiled, his finger brushing through the feathers of his familiar.
"I'm good, thank you. Mostly enjoying the day and waiting for this evening you know?"
Basti nodded, chuckling a little.
"Yeah, it will be fun I suppose. I somehow don't expect to be chosen you know?"
Harry looked up at him surprised. "You put your name in?" His eyebrow was raised. Basti nodded, picking up a small stone and turned it between his fingers.
"Yeah of course. That is why I'm... that's why all of us are here."
Harry nodded, looking at Dawn for a moment, while Sebastian looked out at the Lake.
"And why do you think it will not be you?" Harr asked, his fingers gliding through feathers. Dawn had fallen asleep and purred due to the pets she was receiving.
"Well, the Tournament is a practical application thing and me for one a theoretical thinking person. The actual handiwork was never my cup of tea. That is more of Anna's or Ulrich' field really. Hell, even Svenja has more chance of getting there, but she isn't really a competitive person, so that is also unlikely."
Harry hummed, agreeing that that sounded rather plausible. Then he looked over at the blond guy who was staring out calmly.
"And why are you here, if you don't think you have a chance?"
Sebastian laughed for a moment and smiled over, shoving Harry's shoulder in a well-meant manner.
"To meet new people of course! The world is big and beautiful and I want to see as much of it as I can. Hogwarts is said to be a beautiful place too, so of course, I wanted to come here." He looked around. "And I have to say, now with the sunlight, it is really awesome you know?" The guy grinned, waving his hand around like he wanted to hold the entire grounds. Harry had to smile and when he thought about it, Sebastian was right. There was so much in the world that would be interesting to see. When he was young he never had even thought about it, knowing he would never see anything of the world, the Dursleys would never agree. But now? He had the money to go anywhere he wanted and more important a godfather that would love to discover the world with him. They could go anywhere. New York, Tokyo, Rio, South Africa and everywhere else! He could travel and suddenly he knew he would. When he wasn't in Hogwarts anymore he would be able to go to all these places and some. For the first time, he thought about his time after Hogwarts and was thrilled about the prospect.
Harry made the promise to himself, he would travel the world one day. With a grin, he nodded to Sebastian.
"You are right. There is so much out there." Harry scooped Dawn from his lap and stood up, suddenly too much energy to sit still. Where would he go first? Maybe Sirius would take him during the holidays. Hermione's parents travelled with her and the Dursleys had taken Dudley on trips. Was it okay asking Sirius? Maybe he should to that. Maybe he didn't need to wait until the end of his time in Hogwarts. Harry grinned to himself, then turned to Sebastian, then stopped. The taller guy had picked up his hoody, discarded onto the rock and looked at it. His face was grim and hard. He glared over to Harry.
"So you are one of them." Gone was the friendly nice persona. Instead, the tall guy looked grim and cold, almost disgusted. Harry had seen this look directed at him often. From Uncle Vernon when he was doing magic. From his aunt when he had fallen short on the chores. During the second year when everyone thought he was the heir of Slytherin. Harry blinked feeling a little cold.
"One of whom?" Harry asked, a little uncertain and confused. Instead of answering Sebastian threw the hoody on the ground in front of his feet. Shown on it was prominently the symbol of the wand, the circle and the triangle. Sebastian sneered at him.
"To think that such a nice guy like you was with those people." The tall blond guy turned and started walking away. Harry stepped after him and grabbed him on the forearm.
"Basti wait!" He said. The blond boy pulled his arm free.
"My friends call me Basti. Not people like you..."
Harry shrunk a little under his gaze and hastily explained.
"It is not what it looks like, really. I'm not one of Grindelwald's people." Harry said it quickly, while the other boy glared at him.
"Oh yeah and why are you wearing his symbol?" He pointed at the piece of clothing that was lying on the ground.
"If anything he is wearing mine!" Harry snapped back, fed up with explaining himself. At that Sebastian frowned.
"What?" He sounded confused. What was the boy talking about? How could Gellert Grindelwald wear his symbol when this boy was not even born during this conflict?
"The symbol he used is the symbol of the Deathly Hallows," Harry stated, looking into blue eyes. Sebastian nodded.
"Yeah I know that, so what?" He barked.
Harry sighed. "The three brothers that are in the story of the Deathly Hallows were real. Maybe their artefacts are not but the brothers were. And their name was Peverell!" To that Sebastian blinked surprised.
"you mean?" And Harry nodded, picking up the hoody.
"Yes, Grindelwald stole and used the coat of arms of House Peverell, MY house. Look here? The triangle is made up of leaves, not like his." Sebastian glanced down. Then he looked back up at Harry. "So you are not one of those Verhüllten-Haters?"
"I'm not sure." Harry confessed.
"You are not sure if you hate Verhüllte?" Sebastian frowned in confusion. Harry shook his head.
"I don't know what Verhullte are." Harry put Dawn closer to his chest. Being under such intense scrutiny by someone taller and broader than him, was discomforting. It reminded him quite a bit of his Uncle. Sebastian seemed to cool down a little.
"Verhüllte. Those that have no magic." He clarified. Harry nodded.
"Ah, you mean muggles. No of course not! One of my best friends is muggle-born and her parents are some of the nicest people I have ever met. I am not one of these pureblood supremacists. I hate it in fact."
Sebastian stared at him for a while.
"And you wear the symbol anyways? Why?" He asked. Harry glared at him.
"Because it is mine. I got it when I defeated the former owner. My mom died for me to live at that night. I might been a baby but still, I intend to take everything that bastard had and turn it against him. His made-up name? I don't use it but his birth name. The symbol of his house? I take it for my own, showing him he has nothing on me, that I will take everything he throws at me and turn it against him. Tom has tried again and again to kill me and he never succeeded. It will stay this way." Harry's voice had turned determined and his heart was cold like steel at the moment. He would make Tom regret he had ever laid a finger on Harry's family.
Suddenly Dawn chirped from down in his hands and when he looked at her he saw her golden eyes burn with love while she looked rather upset. The small bird didn't understand why her bonded friend was feeling these weird feelings but it made her angry and she wanted those feelings to leave him alone. Her wings fluttered a little when she chirped again, demanding that her human would be happy again. Harry smiled sadly at her and brushed his fingers through her feather trying to comfort the magical creature. Sebastian nodded.
"Not everything you said made sense to me but if you aren't one of those than it is okay for me. I will let others know too." He sat down again and Harry too. The sat there for a while just chatting lightheartedly. Harry told him about his adventures over the past three years, from the Philosopher's Stone, the chamber and Sirius. It was fun really and now looking back, Harry noticed it was actually a good story to tell. Yeah it was grim in places and he left out quite a bit, his parseltongue for example, but still, it was a good story. Almost as if a writer had written it.
In return, Sebastian told him about his own life and family. About his older sister who had been even better than himself in school. How he had come to Königsehr and how it was there. The way the dwarfs were. Sebastian described them as grumpy gruff people with a strong sense of honour. He also said they were in deep conflict with the goblins and wars were still fought by the two races constantly. The reason was gold apparently. What Gringotts was for Britain was Golgrimm for Germany, their dwarven manned bank. He was just speaking about a prank that he and Jonathan had pulled off half a month ago and Harry was thinking that he should introduce the German to Fred and George when someone called to them.
"Sebastian!" A male voice came up to them and when they turned, they saw the one-armed guy and the blond German girl walking up to them. He wore a jacket with the same sword and wings symbol from yesterday and an embroidered Königsehr coat of arms on his shoulder. A beanie was pulled over his shaved head and he slouched slightly while walking. The boy looked pale and tired like every time Harry had seen him, all in all, he was like someone with no energy. Even his eyes looked pale grey. If Harry hadn't seen him by night yesterday he would have been certain the boy was a werewolf. The girl, on the other hand, looked like life itself. Her hair was long and flowing gold but in a warm colour rather than the pale blond that Daphne Greengrass or Draco had. Her green clothing was snug to her body and Harry noticed a large breast size held back by this green tight top. He had the decency to look elsewhere in an instant. Her eyes were lively brown and she smiled brightly, while the guy next to her seemed lacking most emotions. Yet his eyes were the only thing of his that didn't move as he came out of bed just now. They darted around looking at everything, scanning the surroundings.
He then turned to Sebastian.
"Frau Greif will dass wir in einer halben Stunde am Schiff sind." He said, receiving a nudge from the girl next to him who nodded at Harry. The tired teenager nodded slowly stretching out his single arm.
"Hello, I'm Ulrich nice to meet you. This is my girlfriend Svenja." He gestured in a disturbing way with the stump of his arm at the blond. The girl smiled and shook also Harry's had.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Harry Peverell." He said with a smile. The blond girl nodded, her eyes wandering towards and widened a little.
"Anna told me there is a phoenix with you. Does it have a name?" She asked leaning down a little. Dawn stared back at her with wide golden eyes and chirped once.
Harry's felt his warmth and the pride he had whenever someone noticed his little girl.
"Dawn." He said with utter love. Svenja smiled at him warmly.
"Such a wonderful name. You must be really happy." Her eyes returned to the pridefully posing Dawn. Harry chuckled, bopping her on the head.
"Yeah, she is the brightest light in my life. There is nothing like it." He said with a smirk. Svenja nodded and her eyes turned to the one-armed teenager next to her.
"I know that feeling. It is amazing isn't it?" She asked, her hand taking Ulrich'. The teenager showed the first real emotion Harry had seen from him and smiled at his girlfriend for a short moment. Then he looked out onto the Black Lake with unblinking almost dead eyes. Harry wasn't sure what to answer to her.
"Y-Yes. So how did you two meet?" He asked, promptly rewarded with a groan from Sebastian.
"Oh please don't ask her that. This story is so...urgh." Sebastian looked up at the lightly clouded sky and rolled his eyes. Svenja frowned.
"Hey, that is not true. It is a wonderful story. We actually grew up together, Ulrich and I in the same household."
Harry smiled. "That must be nice. Why was that?" He grinned and Svenjas smile turned a little sad.
"Well, my Mum and Ulrich Mum were best friends during school. After she...passed away we took him in. We know each other since we could walk." She laughed a little. "It might be strange to others that we date since we were raised that way but...I don't know he was always my best friend and I love no one more than him." The guy leaned over, placing his head for a short moment on Svenjas shoulder, nuzzling it and giving it a kiss before he turned to the water again. Harry smiled. He thought being raised by the best friend of your parents was a good way to go. At last, this was what was happening to himself.
"What about your father?" Harry asked but he noticed the mistake instantly. Ulrich faces scrunched in anger, and he turned away. His hand was balled to a fist. Svenja rubbed his shoulder and shook her head.
"Ulrich and his father don't get along at all. Please, don't ask. What about your parents Harry?" He noticed the change of subject but he took the opportunity instantly, with a little smile.
"My godfather raises me too now. We were separated for my entire life but finally, we are together again. So I get it."
Svenja smiled a little sad.
"What happened to your parents...if I am allowed to ask."
Harry's smile fell instantly, got a little plastered so to speak.
"They were murdered when I was one year old, by the man who tried to kill me as well. Somehow I survived but he keeps trying." To this Ulrich turned his head again, looking at Harry.
"That was that Voldemort guy right?" He asked. His voice was a little strange, a little raspy. Harry nodded.
"Yeah, him. How come you know him, the others seemed to be unaware of him"
Ulrich shrugged a little. "He isn't really famous in Germany, but I studied duelling quite intensively and part of that is studying powerful Warlocks, like Dumbledore, Soi Yong or Voldemort."
Harry nodded solemnly. "He is extremely powerful. I'm lucky I survived the encounters with him really."
To that Ulrich smirked a little. "I would always prefer a lucky comrade over a talented in battle."
Harry grinned and nodded. Lady Luck has always been the best of friends, even though she was unreliable. Svenja looked at her wristwatch, before pulling on Ulrich' hand.
"We have to go, Mrs Greif awaits us." She turns to Harry again, reaching out for a handshake.
"It was fun talking to you Harry." She said with a smile and Harry shook her hand.
"Likewise Svenja, Ulrich, Sebastian." He nodded to the two boys. Sebastian patted him on his shoulder, while Ulrich only nodded back at him once before the odd trio moved away to the metal airship. Harry sat down on the rock again, setting Dawn on his knee.
"Hey, Harry." The boy turned his head and felt his heart warm up when he saw Cho standing next to him, in a pale blue dress. His smile turned brighter and he scooted a little to the side, offering her a place to sit on the rock he was using as a chair. She returned his smile, thankful.
"Hi, Cho." He felt his face warm up a little knowing how close she was. "You just missed some people from the German school. Really nice people."
Cho sighed, slapping her own knee. "Damn, I wanted to talk to some of them. It is really interesting with all these new people in school don't you think?" She said, leaning a little closer. Harry nodded, swallowing.
"M-Maybe I c-can introduce you." Harry murmured out, noticing that he could feel her breath on his skin. Cho looked at him through her bangs with her large dark eyes.
"That would be nice. But actually, I am glad they aren't here right now." She whispered, leaning even closer. Harrys mind felt like it was empty, just a hallow courtyard with no one in it and just empty nothingness. His vision focused, he noticed every pore every shadow on Cho's face. The way the light caught in her hair, the way her lips were curved, everything. He swallowed again.
"Y-Yeah? W-Why's that?" He asked, feeling so dumb at that moment. Cho didn't answer but leaned even closer and her lips brushed over Harry's own and the feeling of emptiness in his mind multiplied tenfold and at the same time, his heart fired a firework, burned the school and threw him into ice water. Cho's soft lips sucked all the thoughts out of his skull, all the self-consciousness went down the drain when his entire world shrunk down onto this feeling that was there on his lips and he took a sharp breath of surprise.
At his lap, Dawn felt the wonderful chaos storm of feelings in her bonding partner and practically glowed in happiness. The Phoenix felt the warm waves of happiness and disbelieve that bubbled out of him. These were feelings her Harry had never felt before, it was close to the ones he had for the funny dogman, for the tall blond woman, for the redhead and the girl with the bushy hair but at the same time, it was totally different. This was more wild, more like fire than a blanket. And it was intoxicating to the bird. In her strange non-human mind, Dawn wished so hard she could fly right now, but the time hasn't come yet. Still, she wanted to fly, to let this feeling lift her up into the sky.
So she spread her wings and chirped happily. But for once Harry didn't notice her antics, because right now two teenagers were lost in each other and didn't notice the rest of the world.
Unknown by the two teenagers that engaged in their first nervous steps on the road of love, a different pair in love moved through a cold cave. Both had used their magic to help themselves keeping the warmth but still, both were pale and shivering. The master had needed their attention quite a lot since he was weak in his current state and frail. They had tended to him without complaint, knowing full well their master wasn't pleased by whining.
"My servants." The cold and thin voice trailed through the cave, like a whisper from the lips of a corpse. The black-haired heads turned to their master and quickly they hurried, kneeling in front of the veiled figure. Both lowered their heads to the ground showing their servitude.
The voice rose again, like leaves in the autumn.
"My most loyal servant is in position. We can begin."
Both of the wizards started packing up in a hurry, placing items in bags and spoke in whispered tones to each other, shooting the veiled silhouette glances from time to time, only wincing when their eyes connected with those of their master.
Their master didn't care. Everything was working within his plan and soon he would get everything he ever wanted. All the chess pieces were in place and ready and once he started no one would stop him. Not the Aurors, not the ministry, not Dumbledore and not Harry Potter. All would fall to his might and crawl through the dirt. And victory would be his at last.
Voldemort's cold and cutting laughter echoed through the cave, making both of his servants shiver and they knew it wasn't due to the cold wind and the rain. Voldemort's laughter had something of another world, colder than the grave, darker than the night.
Time to go home.