Sirius' godson was … odd.
Now this was coming from a man hiding out as an animagus but Harry was definitely not what he expected.
He had expected Harry to be like James or at the very least like a dark-haired version of Lily. He expected a Gryffindor, a love for pranks and mischief, and a smart brain. Instead, Sirius found a crossdressing Hufflepuff with a penchant for dangerous creatures who seemed to not always be entirely there mentally. All Sirius could think was: "Oh Merlin, Harry inherited the Black Genes."
Sirius knew that his family's blood caused them to be varying forms of unhinged, but he never expected that his godson would be more like a Black than a Potter or an Evans.
Sirius had to take a second to pray to Lily and James to apologize for the effect his blood, and possibly James' mother's blood, had on their precious little boy. Not that Harry was any less precious for being a little crazy, if anything it made him so adorable that Sirius wanted to permanently pinch his cheeks. Although Harry's naming techniques could use some work, he had mixed feelings about being named after a chocolate disk candy.
That being said, Sirius was determined to keep Harry safe, especially after the events of the summer and learning everything that had happened to his godson since his parents had been killed. He had a feeling that this year was going to be just as dangerous as the last, if not more so with the dementors patrolling and looking for him. And he couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to Harry. (Even if Harry seemed to be able to scold the Dementors into behaving).
As the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade station, Sirius couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. It had been years since he had stepped foot in Hogwarts, and he was eager to see what had changed. It would be hard to teach Harry the Marauder ways while he was a dog, but he would find a way.
Things were going wrong pretty early in the school year.
Cassius didn't know if this was good because then it would be calm near exam time, or if it just meant a whole year of chaos and Cassius was not prepared for that much chaos in his life at this point in time.
First was the dementor on the train, which the Headmaster had blamed on the ministry and its interference at Hogwarts but also brushed off everyone's concerns in the same breath.
Then Harry got into an argument with the headmaster about keeping his mutt with him at the school. That then turned into a meeting with the Board, Bea's parents, and Madame Bones. The compromise was that the mutt (Jazzles) would spend the time Harry was in classes and at mealtimes with Hagrid out on the grounds. Harry wasn't happy but Cassius was able to point out that having a dog in class would be disruptive and not even the cats were allowed in the great hall during mealtimes.
Most recently Cassius was being summoned urgently on their first day of classes to the Defence classroom because the new Professor had the bright idea to teach 3rd years about boggarts and Harry had had a rather severe reaction to the creature. Something inside Cassius eased at knowing that Harry couldn't adopt any and all creatures, but at the same time, he wanted to skin Professor Lupin for scaring his little Ray. Who knew out of Harry's many horrible experiences throughout his short life that might manifest as Harry's worst fear?
Madame Pomfrey was in the classroom already when Cassius arrived. All the 3rd years seemed to be in some state of a breakdown, but at the far end of the classroom was Harry, curled into a ball, pressed into a corner, with Professor Lupin trying to coax him out. Cassius quickly made his way over to his Little Ray. Ignoring the professor entirely, Cassius sat in between the professor and Harry, blocking them from each other.
"Little Ray, you're okay, can you look at me?" Cassius said softly, careful not to touch Harry yet in case he startled him.
Harry's eyes were glassier than normal, his breathing uneven, and his body trembling. The sight of him just broke Cassius' heart. Harry should have never been put into this state. Cassius would be having words with the professor once he ensured that Harry was okay. He was also sure that once Beatrice learned of what happened she would rally the badgers to give Lupin hell.
Several more minutes of Cassius talking quietly to Harry, not trying to do anything but bring Harry out of what were probably his memories, started to bring results.
Harry blinked slowly, eyes beginning to focus somewhat on his surroundings again. Cassius kept up his steady calm conversation with himself, not rushing Harry but allowing him to know that he was there.
"Cassy?" Harry's voice cracked.
Cassius smiled softly at Harry, relief washing over him at the sound of his voice. "Yeah, it's me, Little Ray," he said, reaching out to gently stroke Harry's hair. "You're safe, buddy. You're okay."
Harry let out a shaky breath before finally looking up at Cassius, his eyes still filled with tears. "What happened?" Harry asked, his voice still shaking.
"We'll talk about it later, okay?" Cassius said, not wanting to upset Harry further. Harry clung to Cassius, his tears soaking into Cassius' robes. Cassius immediately wrapped his arms around Harry, hugging him tightly. "I'm here, Little Ray. I'm here," he whispered, pressing a kiss to Harry's forehead. Madame Pomfrey, who had been watching the scene worriedly, approached them with a vial of calming draught.
"Here, give him this," she said, handing the vial to Cassius. "It'll help him relax."
Cassius nodded, carefully holding the vial to Harry's lips and helping him drink the potion. Harry's body immediately relaxed under the effects of the calming draught, his breathing evening out and his eyes closing. Cassius cradled him gently, rubbing circles into his back until he was sure Harry was asleep.
Once he was sure Harry was comfortable, Cassius turned to Professor Lupin, his eyes cold. "I will talk to you later Professor, along with my head of house and Harry's head of house." he hissed.
"You should take Mr. Potter to his dormitory now," Madame Pomfrey interrupted firmly. "And make sure he gets some rest."
Cassius nodded, sending one last scathing look at Lupin before picking up and carrying Harry out of the room and back into badger territory. He knew that once everyone heard of what had happened, Lupin would be given hell from all sides.
This was going to be a long year, Cassius thought to himself, but he was determined to protect Harry at all costs.
Neither Harry nor his classmates would talk about what Harry's boggart had turned into, which was ominous on its own since 13-year-olds aren't exactly known for keeping quiet. Harry was also subdued, almost as subdued as when they had picked him up from his relative's house. Not even cuddling with Jazzles seemed to cheer up the small boy. Everyone was getting worried for the small boy. Cassius knew they needed to do something as soon as Harry stopped dressing in his colorful clothes, sticking just to his black school uniform. He stopped painting his nails, stopped wearing makeup, and even stopped wearing all of his accessories and jewelry. The only reason Harry currently bathed and ate anything was because of the rotation of people forcing him to do so.
Cassius couldn't stand seeing Harry like this. He knew he had to do something, and fast. He decided to take matters into his own hands and talk to Harry personally. He walked over to Harry's dormitory, hoping to catch him alone. When he got there, he found Harry sitting on his bed, staring blankly at the wall.
"C'mon Little Ray, talk to me," Cassius said, sitting down next to Harry. "What's going on?"
Harry remained silent for a long time, but finally, he spoke. "Am I a freak Cassy?"
Cassius was taken aback by the question, but he probably should have expected this. "No! You are not a freak. Never call yourself that Little Ray."
Harry frowned to himself.
"Is this about your boggart?" Cassius tried to ask.
Harry shrugged.
"You know, no matter what it showed you, you are still the most amazing person I know. You are endlessly kind, your strength and courage amazes me every day Little Ray, and I know that all of your friends and housemates are all very worried about you. They want to make sure you are okay. They miss your smile." Cassius wrapped an arm around Harry to hug him.
Harry leaned his head on Cassius' shoulder, tears streaming down his face. "You worried too?" Harry asked in a small voice.
Cassius moves his head to kiss Harry's forehead. "Of course, I am worried about you. You're my Little Ray."
"Forever?"
"Forever and ever," Cassius promised easily.
"Don't wanna lose you. Don't wanna go back to being freak." Harry whispered.
Cassius closed his eyes to hold back tears, he could suddenly see what Harry's boggart probably was. "You are never, ever, going back to your Aunt and Uncle. I don't care if Merlin himself came down and said you had to go. Beatrice, your housemates, and your friends would smack him silly for even suggesting it."
"Not you?" Harry wondered.
"Oh no, Beatrice would have tied me up so I couldn't bury him alive for daring to suggest such a thing," Cassius said in a dramatic tone causing Harry to giggle.
Cassius smiled at the sound, relieved that he could bring even a little bit of joy to Harry.
"See, Little Ray? You're not alone. You have all of us. And we love you for who you are, no matter what. Now I want to see that smile more often."
Harry wiped his tears, looking up at Cassius with a small smile. "Thanks, Cassy. You're the best."
Cassius chuckled, ruffling Harry's hair. "You're damn right I am. Now, how about we go get some snacks and go visit the thestrals? Your mutt has been terrorizing them in your absence and I am sure they miss you dearly."
Harry's eyes lit up at the idea, as he grabbed Cassius' hand and pulled him towards the door. "Let's go, Cassy!"
Cassius laughed happily and let the small badger tug him down the hall. As they walked out of the dormitory, Cassius couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to do anything to make sure Harry felt loved and supported. And he knew he wasn't alone in that mission. Together, they would get through this.