Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.
A/n: So this chapter cuts short on Harry, which I'm sure sucks to some, but it focuses on Sirius more. Personally, I always believed Sirius had more potential in the books, but they never gave it to him, only giving him a sad ending with only a bit of time with Harry. This will highlight more on both him and his family.
Chapter 17: A Black's Journey
Evening…
Harry arrived in Godric's quarters to find Sirius with his trunk packed, sitting at a desk while pouring over a book, "Mind if I take this with me?"
"Not at all. Are you still planning on leaving tonight?" Harry asked dejectedly.
Sirius stood, walking over and kneeling in front of him. "I know, you're worried for me, but it'll be fine, I promise. Now, how'd the meeting go with the old bastard?"
Harry relayed the whole meeting including his unease, and Sirius seemed rather pleased at the end. "You didn't last long on keeping him from your scar."
"I know. I'm disappointed in myself for that, but there was little to be done. Trying to hide it from him would've raised more questions." Harry sighed.
"Are the books he gave any good?"
"I've had them for a few hours." Harry deadpanned, Sirius only raised an eyebrow. "Fine! The Occlumency book was pretty good looking according to Neville and the magical theory book seems to be something that I've yet to find here. I'm actually a little excited about learning from it."
"You are teaching me whatever you learn." Sirius grinned.
"I thought you didn't like Dumbledore?"
"I don't like him much at the moment but the man is a genius, so I won't turn down good knowledge." Sirius replied, before letting out a very exaggerated sigh. "I suppose that I'll sit through a meeting with him then. I am tempted to say no, but he asked nicely and it'll be great to hear him grovel."
"Figures that's what you focus on." Harry said, exasperated. "So what's your plans?"
"Well, I suppose I will meet with him, and then Remus, after I make a trip to Gringotts. Afterwards, a few errands. I hope you plan on coming home for Spring Break." Sirius hinted. Harry frowned, but nodded. "Good. You won't regret it."
"Alright…" Harry muttered. "So, want to duel one more time before you leave?" Sirius grinned, and with that, they made their way to the training room.
Break…
"Stay safe, Harry. I'll send the mirror in a few days so we can talk whenever." Sirius said, his words broken by emotions. Harry just gave the man one last squeeze, garnering a grunt. "Ouch. My side still hurts from that Bludgeoning Curse."
"You'll live. Love you Sirius!" Harry stopped as he realized what he said, but the man only smiled.
"Love you too pup."
With that, he focused, disappearing to Diagon Alley. He made an imposing appearance in the apparation point, with both of the stationed Patrol Aurors raising their wands at seeing Sirius Black in front of them. He stared at them. Both of them seemed to take in his healthy appearance, the well trimmed hair and beard, and the filled out face with an almost complete absence of Azkaban's treatment.
They quickly lowered their wands at seeing the Lord ring resting on his hand, along with the Black family crest on his left breast. He kept his face impassive as he stepped forward, one of them backing up unconsciously.
"Aurors." He nodded, walking right past them as if they were unimportant.
If there was one lesson that his father, Orion, and his grandfather, Arcturus, taught him, it was on how to be impressionable and imposing. The Blacks walked with confidence, with grace, and with an aura that commanded respect and power. They knew how to keep up their looks, how to ensure they were noticed and not forgotten. It was something every Black was practiced on, and something he had never forgotten.
He walked down the alley. It was dark out, lit up only by the lights of the alley. There weren't a lot of shoppers, maybe only thirty or so between the point and Gringotts, but all of them stared as they began to recognize him for who he was. Yet not a single person made a move towards him.
It made his short journey into Gringotts rather peaceful.
"I wish to speak to Axeblade."
The goblin looked up, disdain marring its face, but realized who his customer was and quickly changed his expression. "Of course, Lord Black. Let me ensure he is free and prepared to receive you."
He waited patiently, and five minutes later, the goblin returned. "He is gathering some things you requested as we speak. He will retrieve you from there shortly."
The goblin pointed to the waiting area, where metal benches like the ones outside Grimmauld place sat. He nodded, and fell into the uncomfortable seat without complaint. It was nearly ten in the evening, so having to wait wasn't an issue.
Twenty minutes later, he saw the familiar goblin appear from the double doors behind the tellers.
"Sirius Black. It seems you have done well for yourself to brave the main entrance." Axeblade said. Sirius quickly caught up to the goblin as they walked back to the office. "How is your heir?"
"Quite well, and getting better every day." Sirius answered.
"Good. He gave off the impression that he was going to make waves in the world." Axeblade commented.
"I have no doubt he will make many, not in the least because of what happened to his parents." Sirius answered truthfully as they entered the goblin's office. "I would hope you have all of the documents ready?"
"I do." The goblin picked up several scrolls, and easily passed them to Sirius to read.
The first was reinstating Andromeda Tonks into the family, and then recognizing her marriage. With that, it also included a transfer of a hundred thousand galleons, a mix of an apology and a dowry as was custom in the magical world. It also recognized Nymphadora as a daughter of House Black, which would improve her prospects in the Ministry.
He quickly signed off on it using the provided Blood quill, which was a necessary evil for three of the scrolls he had. His head of the house ring warmed in welcome to the returning family.
The second was the divorce of Bellatrix Black to Rodolphus LeStrange, which was only possible due to the heavily violated magical contract. It reclaimed the hefty dowry of seventy thousand galleons.
He signed it as well, passing the scroll to Axeblade, before stopping. "Axeblade, say that someone has stored a class five dark artifact in their vault. What is Gringotts policy regarding such a thing?"
"A class five?" The goblin asked warningly.
"Yes."
"The vaults owned by the family are claimed by Gringotts, the item destroyed, and a twenty five percent finder's fee to the person who warned us. If any of the members of the family enter the bank after the notice goes out, they are condemned to the mines for the rest of their life." The goblin replied.
"Hm." Harry had told them that if Gringotts was able to take care of the cup of Hufflepuff, it would be a blessing as he wasn't wanting to rob the goblins again.
"This was in speculation only, right?" Axeblade asked, hinting that the expected answer was yes, and only yes.
"Not quite. I have reason to believe a Horcrux is stored in the LeStrange family vault." Sirius barely finished the sentence before the goblin was out of the office.
He just stared at the still open door, mostly in shock. He had never seen a goblin move with such speed or purpose before. Never.
'Always gotta make things interesting, huh Harry?' He thought.
Deciding not to waste any time, he looked over the disownment of Bellatrix, and quickly signed it as well. He felt a small coldness from his Head of House ring, signifying that the Family magics recognized the order.
The next was the official notice of heirship. While Harry wore the ring, notices had to be sent out to the entire family that he had been declared the Black heir by the sitting lord. It hadn't been done by Arcturus when Harry was made heir as Sirius was still the Heir Presumptive, and Harry was only Heir Secondary.
This too was signed off on, though not in blood. Gringotts would send the letters in the morning to the Malfoys, Tonks, and to any other closely related members.
He was midway through reading the most recent purchases of investments when three goblins walked into the open office door, Axeblade trailing behind them. The two behind the lead goblin were guards, while the lead one seemed like someone of importance. He had silver bracers on, despite the well adorned clothes, while the goblins escorting him were wearing full armor and weapons.
"Are you Sirius Black?" The lead goblin demanded. It was a statement more than it was a question. Sirius nodded slowly.
"Then I thank you for your information. The class five artifact has been destroyed, and the finder's fee will be transferred to you in the coming days." The lead goblin said, his tone clipped and short. Sirius had to guess that the discovery of the item had angered the goblins.
"I apologize for any rudeness, but who are you?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Apologies. These artifacts anger me, especially the kind which was discovered. I am King Ragnok the VI. Director of Gringotts Bank." the goblin spoke, "Typically customers never meet me, but this demanded my attention."
Sirius bowed his head in respect. "It is an honor, Lord Ragnok."
The goblin stared for a moment, before moving into Axeblade's seat. The two guards stayed near Sirius, and Axeblade stayed standing behind Ragnok. "So how did you know of this artifact?"
"My godson and brother combined. My brother was one of three given these… artifacts, and my godson destroyed the one given to Malfoy. It was a matter of deduction, and as the Mulcubers and the Selywns are extinct, the Lestranges were the next best choice." Sirius explained.
It was only a partial lie. Harry had explained that it was down to the LeStranges, Notts, and Averys back before they discovered Bellatrix's fear of the LeStrange vault being broken into.
"Hm. And are there more?" Ragnok asked.
"I am not at liberty to say." Sirius replied evasively. "All I can say is that if there are, I have a plan to destroy them."
"Hm. Good. Tom Riddle has defiled Gringotts, and if I were not assured of your words, I would declare him an enemy of the nation and dedicate forces to ending him ourselves. As you are doing it, we are not concerned." Ragnok replied, standing.
"Not concerned?" Sirius asked, slightly bewildered.
"Nope. Make no mistake, if he actively seeks war with us, or enters our halls, his life is forfeit, but it seems you and your godson know what you are doing. We shall let you be. If you wish to hire our services and can explain how they would be used in this endeavor though, it will be discounted." Ragnok offered, approaching the door.
"Lord Ragnok, I do have one thing." Sirius spoke formally, "A use of your healers for my godson and myself. He has had a rough childhood, and my past few years have likely left a mark."
Ragnok nodded after a moment of thinking, "Thirty percent will be covered by Gringotts. Have a good day Sirius Black."
The three goblins left, leaving Sirius with Axeblade. "Well. That was something."
"I am just as surprised as you." Axeblade replied, "But, I am also not. Tom Riddle killed two goblin clans, and before his downfall, we were on the verge of declaring war with him and his allies. We did not because he fell, and we were able to profit with higher rates against those who were supposedly innocent."
"Goblins always get their dues." Sirius muttered amusedly. "This investment plan seems perfect, though Harry suggested two companies, Microsoft and Apple. No idea what a fruit has as an investment, but…"
"He means the muggle Tech company in the USA. I will follow his suggestions and invest a small amount into both." Axeblade replied easily. "Now, you enquired about the conditions of your properties, besides Townhouse Black."
"I did."
"Black Manor is still standing strong, and its wards are as formidable as ever from what our Wardmasters could tell. As for the interior, we were unable to enter, only view it from a distance. The vacation home in Rome is in similar condition, only less warded, as is the property in Savannah Georgia, USA, and the three other smaller properties in Britain." Axeblade replied, flipping through the parchment pile on his desk.
"Good, I look forward to some sun." Sirius commented as he picked up the next stack of parchment for him. It was a little while later, while reading the withdrawal report, that Sirius spoke.
"Who signed on all of these loans?" He asked unhappily.
"Narcissa Malfoy."
"Right… and how many of these have had payments made on them?" The loans were to families like the Crabbes, Yaxleys, Averys. None of which Sirius would have approved in any means.
"None on that list. Those that have loans and have paid are on the list of investments." Axeblade replied. "Am I finally free to collect on those?"
"Yes, and any future loans must be approved by me. Also limit Narcissa's allowance vault down to three thousand galleons a month, Draco's as well. No more than twenty five thousand in a year for her and fifteen for him as he is in school and does not need as much." Sirius said, glaring at the sheet of nearly thirty families that owed debt to the Blacks. Axeblade quickly made notes to update the ledgers for those vaults
"And take three percent for yourself from the debts collected from the loans in defaults for the hard work done well." Sirius added. Axeblade had Sirius sign a document to confirm giving the portion to him, before tucking it away happily.
"Thank you. Will there be any other business today?" Axeblade asked. It was already nearly one in the morning.
"Just a Portkey to the edge of Black Manor's wards." Sirius asked. It was provided, and after saying goodbye, he activated it. He closed his eyes as he was pulled along, before feeling his feet hit the ground.
He was instantly assaulted by the smell of a forest, one he was very familiar with. He fell into memories for a moment, his eyes still closed. Images of Regulus and him playing quidditch in the field behind the manor, Bellatrix and Andi arguing over the kind of cookies to serve at the party, his grandfather telling stories of the war, his father talking about dueling.
The memories hurt as much as they comforted him. They were all of times before the family was divided and killed off slowly, before blood purity was the only thing that mattered. He could remember, if only for a few years, when his mother actually cared about all of her family, even if she was bigoted. He remembered how things were before his first year, when he and Regulus were close, when Bellatrix was Little Bella, a sane child with a dream to duel and learn curse breaking.
He remembered one year, his last before attending Hogwarts, when a ball was held celebrating his Grandfather's sixtieth birthday. His mother, despite her growing bitchiness at his behavior, was fussing over his looks alongside his grandmother Melanie, while his Aunt Druella was calming Andi from her panicked state at forgetting her makeup.
It was a sad thing to realize that despite the Blacks expected lifespan to be in the low hundred range, only two had made it there since he was born, and both were dead. Arcturus and Orion should have lived longer. Arcturus died from complications due to an injury from the war just five years ago. Melanie died only a year prior to his stint in Azkaban, while Orion died from attempting to murder Voldemort over Regulus' disappearance. His mother died from madness, or so he suspected if it weren't poison. His Uncle Cygnus died fighting for Voldemort, Druella from hereditary condition, and Pollux and Cassiopeia from age and old injuries from fighting for Grindelwald.
Likewise, Dorea and Charlus should have lived longer. Both were in their late sixties when Voldemort killed them, sure, but they still had plenty of strength left.
Even if he hated admitting it, he missed them. Or really them from before Voldemort. His family wasn't always a group of murderous bastards and terrible monsters, even if they were bigots and arrogant pricks. Hell, some of them never turned to murder and torturers. Narcissa, for all of her faults, wanted to be a healer like Andi, and she never was seen fighting for the Death Eaters despite her capabilities with a wand. His grandfather was neutral as well, and so was his father until the war began to heat up, and he sided with the majority of his family.
It truly hurt to see his family so broken, and it was why, despite Narcissa's actions, she wasn't kicked from the family. Bellatrix was due to the Longbottoms and for necessity, but he would wait in hopes for Narcissa to come around.
He finally opened his eyes, taking a deep breath as he looked at an empty space. He focused on the Head of House ring, forcing the manor to appear. Crossing the wards was easy, and so was entering the grand manor.
A building of forty two rooms, it stood since the early tenth century. Stone made the outside of it, with oak wood trim and glass pane windows featured everywhere. It held ten family bedrooms with individual bathrooms, two living rooms, a large full kitchen, a dining room fit for fifty people, five guest bedrooms with two shared bathrooms, the Lord's Study, and another ten rooms for various uses.
'Home.' He thought. This place had been the home of the Blacks since their arrival in Britain, and it had never once been taken. He quickly made his way into the Lord's study, wiping the Ward's ledger and adding only Harry, Remus, Augusta and Neville Longbottom, and Amelia and Susan Bones. Once that was done, he called Kreature, requesting him to unload his clothes only from his trunk, before taking a shower and passing out.
Break…
February 20th, 1994
Black Manor
Morning came too soon for the freed Lord, as he awoke to the smell of clean linen, cedar, and burning wood. Sighing, he went and ate, did his morning workout, and then headed for the shower. Even then, it was only ten in the morning. He was surprised when Hedwig flew in, the Daily Prophet in her beak.
"Thanks Hedwig. Harry sent this to me?" He asked softly.
She let out a bark, taking a piece of leftover bacon that Kreature brought her. Ignoring the owl for the moment, he unrolled it, coughing at the headline.
Bartemius Crouch Sr. Arrested
Bartemius Crouch Junior Alive
Senior Breaks Junior out from Azkaban
By Barnabus Cuff
Yesterday evening, in a surprise turn of events, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Madam Amelia Bones brought in both Barty Crouch Senior, who is currently the Department of International Cooperation's head, and Crouch Junior, a supposedly dead Death Eater.
In a conference with Madam Bones, she informed us that originally, her and two Master Aurors, Alastor Moody and Gawain Robards, were only going to speak with Crouch Senior for his involvement in the wrongful imprisonment of Lord Sirius Black. However, what was a house visit quickly turned into a double arrest when Alastor Moody discovered another person being kept within the home.
Crouch Senior quickly attacked the three, but was no match for the superior skill and power, being quickly subdued. Moody then found Barty Crouch Junior, who was being subdued by the Imperius Curse cast by none other than his father.
'We haven't had time to fully investigate how, but Crouch Senior has said he will be pleading guilty to his charges of using an unforgivable, assisting in the escape of a prisoner, and several other minor crimes.' Madam Bones said.
From what she also said, Crouch Senior broke his son out from Azkaban in the last days of his wife's life, as it was her last wish. They switched places using Polyjuice, which she took until she passed in the prison. Both were buried within days of each other to keep up the appearance of her passing outside of the prison, while Crouch Junior was kept at home, in a prison of his own mind.
This is a major scandal for the ministry, and makes for the second one in less than a month.
We will update our followers as we get updates from the Ministry.
For details on the Crouch Family - Page 3
For details on Sirius Black including a recent siting - Page 4
"Shit." Sirius muttered.
Crouch Junior was essential to how Harry ended up in the tournament and later the graveyard for Voldemort's resurrection, and now, they had no clear path on how he would end up there. It made for a mess if they were trying to plan for the future. Harry was right though, the changes had changed everything that he had known, but at least Sirius felt good that Harry was okay with them as long as he was alive and well.
'Perhaps a vacation to Rome for spring break?' Sirius wondered. Harry never spoke of seeing the beaches, and their vacation home had its own personal beach. It'd be ideal and get them away from the country for a week, something both surely needed.