Harry Potter and the Shadowed Light
Chapter 17
Previously
"Your friends seem nice, like they really care," Draco said, looking at Harry's bracelet with a slight frown, making Harry think about Draco's own friends. He had his two goons, Crabbe and Goyle, but Harry wasn't sure if they were friends. In his later years he had hung around Zabini, Nott, and Parkinson a lot, but Harry couldn't be sure who his actual friends were.
Realising this, Harry felt bad for the boy and nodded. "Yes, they're actually pretty great. I never had real friends before I met them," he admitted.
"They won't mind me coming along tomorrow?" Draco asked.
"No. As long as you don't call them names or spout off rubbish about them like Ronald does, then I can't see them having any problems. I told them yesterday when I saw them that you would be joining us," Harry said.
Draco snorted. "Like I could ever act like the weasel," he said arrogantly.
Harry smiled. It seemed that without Harry there to be his rival, Draco had promoted Ron into that place. Soon enough an elf appeared - Harry was actually pleased to see it wasn't Dobby - and announced dinner was ready.
Dinner was as expected: fancy but delightful. The food all looked and tasted fantastic. Over dinner, the table was set out with Sirius and Lucius at either end and Harry and Remus together sitting opposite Narcissa and Draco.
The conversation over dinner was light, but Harry could sense Lucius wanted to ask some questions each time certain topics came up, such as Sirius' trial and Dumbledore. Seeing how the blond was almost losing his composure with his need, Harry took pity on him.
"Dumbledore even had the gall to write to me today," he said. Dessert was just being served, a lovely lemon meringue with vanilla ice-cream and dark chocolate sprinkles.
Lucius sent the boy a look. "Oh?" he queried.
"Yes. I didn't think that with the custody battle approaching he would contact me, as it wouldn't be proper. Yet, this morning he wrote and told me to consider visiting the muggles who raised me. I suppose he wants me to forgive their abuse," Harry said.
Narcissa let out a slight gasp. Magical children were cherished and she had personally been devastated when she learnt she would be unable to conceive again after she had given birth to Draco. To her harming a child was the worst act.
"I see. So the papers haven't been lying?" Lucius said, making Harry smirk slightly.
Ms. Skeeter had really been going to town on the job; there had been daily articles about Harry, varying from his past home life to his time at Hogwarts and speculations about Dumbledore's ability to teach. She had painted a truly amazing story and Harry was proud of the woman. Sure, it took blackmail and threats to create the relationship, but Harry could see it going far if she maintained this quality of work.
"Surprisingly for Ms. Skeeter, the articles are true," Harry confirmed.
Draco startled. "Wait, so you really did live with abusive muggles?" he asked, shocked. Clearly the Malfoys had raised him to think muggles where beneath magical, not a notion Harry believed but one he would work on fixing.
Harry sighed. "Yes - my mother's sister, dreadful woman. Dumbledore left me there without checking up on me after my parents died. She hated magic along with her husband and son," Harry said, making sure to gain Lucius' eye when he mentioned Dumbledore. "I don't understand why I wasn't given to distant family or even an orphanage, surely that would have been better. Not all muggles are awful, however my aunt- truly dreadful."
"I see," Lucius said, humming slightly. How the boy didn't denounce all muggles shocked him, Lucius had been raised to hate and scorn them. "And you have applied for full custody Sirius?" he asked, drawing the other two men in. They had been silently listening and wondering why Harry would bring up this topic.
"I have. I hope to gain the status of both Harry's muggle and magical guardian. He is, after all, my blood adopted son," he said.
Narcissa felt her eyes widen as she shared a look with Lucius. "So it's true, you're the Heir to both the Black and Potter families."
"Yes," Harry said, seeing her eyes widen as she thought about the power he would one day wield.
It was amusing to Harry as she had no idea the power he could wield.
Looking around and seeing everybody had finished, Lucius snapped his fingers and stood. "Perhaps we should adorn to the parlour."
The conversation continued in the parlour and Harry made it clear, although subtly, that he held no love for Dumbledore or his regime. Sirius had also mentioned the information about the raids and the possibility Grimmauld would be raided to them and Harry watched as Lucius stiffened. He hoped the man wouldn't act irrationally about the diary. Hopefully, he would either hide it better or do as he did last time. Harry didn't want anything happening to his soulmate's horcruxes.
As they went to leave, Lucius placed a hand on his shoulder. "I really would love to talk to you more, Harrison," he said quietly, not whispering but not drawing attention to them. He had spent the night observing the boy and found him utterly fascinating. His magic was intoxicating; it was Dark but pure at the same time.
"Tomorrow," Harry whispered back, before he pulled away. He wondered why Lucius was so fascinated by him - perhaps it was his Dark mark? But then again Severus seemed to act normally around him…?
The next day, Harry dressed quickly and practically dragged Sirius and Remus through the floo after they had breakfast. They had agreed to meet at ten am in the Leaky Cauldron, but Harry wanted to be early just in case.
Lucius and Draco arrived not long after them and Harry subtly probed the man, looking for any trace of Tom's magic. The relief he felt when he encountered it was enormous: it seemed fate was actually looking out for him this time. It was probably trying to make up for all the crap he faced before, he mused.
Greeting them both, Harry noted that Lucius looked slightly tense and theorized that he was second guessing his decision to ditch the book.
"I shall meet up with you in Flourish and Blotts in one hour," the man said. "I just have some business to attend to first."
"That's fine," Remus said. "We appreciate you agreeing to stay around and help." The wolf was trying, like Sirius, to give the other man a second chance, although he admittedly was having a slightly harder time of it.
Lucius nodded and walked away quickly, using his cane to subtly part the crowds. After his father left, Draco looked a little bit hesitant, so Harry drew him into a conversation. They spent the time guessing who would be Head Boy and Girl in the coming school year.
When Hannah and Susan arrived together, the blond boy was much calmer. Doing the introductions, although unnecessary, allowed Harry to break the ice.
"Han, Suse, you know my friend Draco Malfoy. Draco, you know Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot," he said. The use of the word friend made the blond smile slightly before his mask fell into place.
Draco took both girls' hands and kissed the air. "Ladies, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said.
Both girls shared a look before they smiled. "It's nice to meet you too, Draco. Properly, that is - we saw you around school last year," Hannah said.
Seeing them get along, Harry asked them their opinions on the Head Boy and Girl whilst they waited for Neville. Before long, Neville and his gran appeared, Augusta realizing early in this life that Neville needed a new wand. Harry wondered why she had noticed in this life and not his last, and theorised she had been paying more attention to Neville this time around with his new-found confidence and friends.
"We can take him, it's no problem," Remus said, getting Augusta to agree.
Now that they were all together, and Harry had once again done introductions between the two boys, they set off. Seeing the crowds, Sirius and Remus bemoaned their fate.
"It's because of Gilderoy Lockhart," Harry said, mainly to his friends who looked surprised. "He's signing his latest book today."
The girls let out squeals, whilst Harry and the boys shared looks of disgust. "Please, he's such a fake," Draco spat.
"He's amazing and such a dreamboat," Susan gushed.
"And his smile, have you seen it?" Hannah added, them both sharing a dreamy sigh.
"I agree with Draco," Neville said hesitantly looking at the blond, "he's a load of rubbish."
In this life Draco hadn't targeted Neville, so their relationship wasn't tarnished by bullying. Harry assumed it was his friendship with Neville but then again Malfoy hadn't really antagonised anybody last year, excluding Ronald.
Harry laughed; if only they knew how true they were. "I like his books, they're great fiction," Harry said, making Draco smirk and the girls frown when they realised he was mocking the man.
Sirius and Remus, who had overheard, snorted. "He's a right one, that man. I wouldn't believe what he puts in those books," Remus advised. He had read one of his earlier works and found it laughable.
"But he's published so many books," Hannah said.
"And he has so many awards," Susan said.
"Just because you're famous and have awards doesn't mean you're a good person or deserving of them," Harry said, thinking about Dumbledore as well as the fraudulent peacock Gilderoy.
"Have you looked at our book lists this year?" Draco asked. "It's full of his books. I bet it's a silly young witch teaching us."
Harry withheld his snort. "It's ridiculous, we won't learn anything," he bemoaned.
Fighting through the crowds, they decided to get Neville's wand first then head straight to Flourish and Blotts. By then, Lucius should be ready to meet them.
Neville entered the shop with Remus. The rest of them decided to wait outside to not overwhelm the boy as they all remembered how it felt to get their own wands.
When the blond boy came out twenty minutes later beaming and holding his wand with excitement, Harry felt a surge of pride. Although, it was probably misplaced. He was proud of the boy; Neville was coming out of his shell much earlier and he seemed to be so much more confident with himself.
"13 inches of cherry wood with unicorn hair," he told them. Harry was surprised as many kept their wand specifics to themselves only telling those who they trusted.
"My wand has unicorn hair," Draco said and Hannah agreed.
"Mine's dragon heart string," Susan said.
"Phoenix tail feather," Harry said. He was still wary about giving up that information but then again he would have the elder wand one day.
"Why don't we get going to get the books? From the looks of it the crowd has thickened," Sirius said, looking and seeing how there was now a queue out of the door.
Harry hid his grimace when he thought of how Lockhart had used him as a photo opportunity last time and prayed the man left him alone. He would hex him this time.
Getting through the queue waiting for their books to be signed was difficult but eventually they managed. They split up and agreed to gather at the counter once they had collected all of their required texts. Harry was the first to arrive as his ability to part crowds worked well and he was unsurprised when Lucius appeared. Harry noted he was looking slightly tenser, so he reached out with his magic and felt the reason why, hoping he still had the book. Fate really did like certain events, he mused when he felt Tom's soul piece.
"Harry, what are you doing with Death Eater scum?!" came the distinctive whine of Ron Weasley's voice and Harry hid his smirk with a look of outrage.
Harry reflected for a moment on his relationship with Lucius, it was perhaps hypocritical of him, forgiving the man and his actions in his last life. He had tortured Harry, tried to kill him multiple times. Yet, unlike with the Weasleys and Hermione's betrayal his action Harry could almost understand. He believed in his cause, he thought he would be creating a better world. Sure, thinking about it still made Harry angry, but the sentiments behind his actions were true if not justified. The Weasleys, Hermione and Dumbledore however, their actions were the result of greed and envy. It also helped that Harry believed he could change the Malfoys, get them to realise their own prejudices and evolve. Harry wanted to create a better Wizarding World.
"Really, Weasley? I understand that you are obsessed with me, but insulting Lord Malfoy is in no way going to gain my attention. You should apologise and leave," Harry said.
Realising there was a commotion with the youngest male of the family, the twins, Arthur, and Ginny turned.
"That's Harry Potter! You're Harry Potter!" Ginny squeaked and Harry felt an almost uncontrollable urge to hex her. 'Perhaps the basilisk would get hungry?' Harry thought viciously. She was looking at him with a mixture of adoration and obsession, raking her eyes up and down him like he was a piece of meat and she had been starved for days.
"I am, and this is Lord Malfoy. A man I respect and the father of my friend. A man your brother and son has just insulted," Harry said, looking at the girl he hated and her father.
Without the compulsions, Harry noted that yes, she was a rather pretty girl, but he had no attraction to her physically. She actually reminded him a bit of his mum, which made him blanche internally, as this girl was really a deceiving, gold digging whore.
Arthur looked torn and shot a glance at Ron before his eyes looked at Lucius' cold mask. Draco appeared then and stepped up next to his father, his look of disgust mirroring Harry's internal one as he looked at Ginny.
"I'm sure he didn't mean any disrespect," Arthur said eventually.
The twins, who had heard what Ron had said, didn't say anything but just looked between the two groups before they took a silent step back. Their behavior made Harry wonder if he could pull them to his side. He had grown to love the boys when they had been at Hogwarts and the death of Fred still hurt him when he thought about it.
Lucius took the opportunity they created to take a step forward and reached into Ginny's cauldron. Harry almost missed him slipping the small journal into it. Picking up an old secondhand book, he pulled it out and examined it. "Indeed, how can I expect you to discipline your child when you clearly cannot even provide for them?"
Arthur looked indignant and stepped forward. "I provide well enough for my family, thank you," he said.
Harry sighed and placed himself between them, subtly reaching in taking the black journal while everybody was distracted. "I feel we're getting off point and that nothing will be gained from this, so please, Mr. Weasley, Lucius, remember where you are," he said.
Lucius looked at the boy and nodded. Stepping back, he placed a hand on both Harry's and Draco's shoulder. "Come along boys, I sure your friends are waiting, and I can see Sirius is growing concerned."
Harry looked up then and saw that the rest of their party was hovering near them and Remus was clearly holding Sirius back.
"Look at you! Turning your back on everything your parents died for, running around with Death Eaters like Malfoy and Black. You're a disgrace, Potter!" Ron shouted and the shop seemed to go silent. The reporters who Harry had barely noted seemed to suddenly still before exploding with action, quills scribbling quickly.
Harry turned then and barely kept his magic under wraps. "My parents died for me so that I could live. You will not ever mention them again or I swear—"
Harry was cut off when Molly Weasley appeared. "RONALD WEASLEY!" she bellowed. "How could you say such a thing? And to poor Harry! You were raised better!" she berated, the shop silently watching.
Harry spared the boy another cold look and felt eyes on him. Sirius was now being held back by Remus with both arms, and the man looked torn between joining Molly in her rant and just wanting to hold Harry. Neville, Draco, and the girls looked like they wanted to jump the redhead and beat him to death with their bare hands while Lucius was sneering with disgust.
"It's fine Mrs. Weasley, Ronald was just saying what he really thinks," Harry said dismissively. Harry watched as the redheaded woman flinched, probably at his cool tone.
Turning then, Harry ignored the whispers as he joined Sirius, placing a hand on his arm which Remus dropped once Harry was close.
Lucius spared the crowd a glance, daring them to speak up, before he joined them. "Quite an unpleasant little boy," he said, once the volume of the shop had once again risen.
"Indeed," Harry agreed.
"I thank you for coming to my defence," he said, angling his head.
"It's no bother, truly," Harry said.
The rest of the kids still looked shocked by Ron's behaviour. Draco turned to Neville. "I heard you like pranks. I will fund it if you get that low-class waste of magic every day for the first week of school," he said.
Neville looked shocked and the girls laughed. "O-okay," Neville agreed. "You can help me if you like - with the planning and stuff."
Draco nodded. "I can do the planning. Nonetheless, a Malfoy knows not to do their own dirty work."
Harry snorted at that. "Just as long at the victim knows who the message is from, correct?" he said.
Draco snorted slightly. "Of course," he agreed smirking.
Neville sighed. "Harry, your inner Slytherin is showing again," he joked.
The adults who had been listening laughed. Although, instead of amused, Harry noticed Lucius looked proud, probably about Draco and Harry's comments.
As they paid for their books, Harry wasn't surprised when the room silenced and a hand suddenly clamped down on his shoulder. He had felt the approaching magical signature and although he didn't recognize it, he did have a strong suspicion who it was.
"My word, it's Harry Potter," came the overly cheerful voice of Gilderoy Lockhart. The hand on Harry's shoulder squeezing slightly. "I thought I noticed you earlier in the centre of all that commotion. Playing up for the crowds, are we?"
Sending his companions an annoyed look, Harry pulled away from his grip. "Please refrain from touching me," he said softly, taking a step back. "I don't like it when strangers manhandle me."
Gilderoy looked around and frowned when he saw the crowd was with Harry more so than himself. "Nonsense, Harry. Together we'll make the frontpage," he said, putting an arm around his shoulders and smiling to a camera.
Harry pulled way as the photographs were being taken. "I said let me go." However, the words were lost as dozens of photographers flashes their cameras.
"When little Harry over here entered this shop to get his copy of my latest book, Marauding with Monsters, little did he realise he would not only get this copy signed, but a copy of all my published works, signed and free of charge," Gilderoy said, preening in front of the camera like he had last time.
Harry scoffed. "Thank you, but I have already bought my books. Perhaps you should give them to somebody who really wants or needs them," he said, the reporters hanging of his words and some even cooing slightly thinking about how generous he was.
After leaving the shop, the group wandered up and down Diagon Alley and bought the rest of their school supplies, stopping midday to have lunch and ice creams as a treat.
While sitting in Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Harry's friends, now including Draco, asked about the upcoming trial, the adults discussing the same at their own table.
"I think Sirius will be fine," Harry assured them, "he's basically my dad because of the blood adoption and he's shown this week how reliable he is as a guardian. His health has recovered dramatically and nobody in their right minds would ever send me back to the Dursleys."
"My father said he'd help secure some of the Darker family votes who may have gone against you in spite," Draco said.
"And my aunt has been to everybody you mentioned and asked for their evidence. She believes you have a strong case," Susan confided.
"I'm not too worried," Harry said. "My biggest concern is what Dumbledore will do next."
His friends nodded in sympathy. They understood the headmaster had a slight obsession with Harry, but Draco looked confused. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Well, he's slightly obsessed with me. He was supposed to be my magical guardian but, before our sorting, I had never seen him. He abandoned me with the muggles and, well, last year he was just really weird. He kept dragging me up to his office and he would always be staring at me," Harry said.
Draco pursed his lips. "My father always did say that Dumbledore was the worst thing to happen to Hogwarts."
"I think I would have to agree," Harry said, making Draco smirk lightly.
Eventually Harry's friends had to return home, but Harry promised to write and visit when he could.
At their table the adults all sat down and sipped at their teas; not even Sirius had indulged in ice cream.
"You have everything prepared for the trial in two days?" Lucius asked.
Sirius took a sip and thought about the trial. "I believe so - I've been writing to Dodge and he believes I have a strong case. I trust his judgement and with the evidence against them, I have no doubts that, even if I don't gain custody, Harry will never return to his muggle relatives."
"Is it true that young Harrison was the one who hired the famous Mr. Dodge?" Lucius asked. The few times he had needed law wizards he had used Mr. Dodge Sr., though he heard that the junior was just as, if not more so, successful.
"Yes, actually. When I first met him he said he had been hired to represent me in the light of new evidence. He kept the fact it was Harry hidden until the day of my trial; most likely to protect his identity. He serves Harry more than myself, really."
"Harrison really is a remarkable boy. Not only to have survived and flourish with his relatives growing up, but to have the sense of mind to hire such accomplished law wizard. You should be proud."
Remus spared Sirius a sly glance. "We are," the wolf said. He was not completely comfortable being with Lucius as he still remembered duelling against him in the last war, however he was willing to keep his concerns buried as both Harry and Sirius seemed willing to forgive him. It helped that he didn't smell any deceit or harm coming from the blond aristocrat; the second he did he would not be responsible for his actions. He had lost his pack once and he would not do so again.
"We have a meeting tomorrow with Dodge to go over everything that could be thrown at us, but I feel confident," Sirius said.
Lucius nodded. "Good. And might I just say I also appreciate the time Harrison has taken to get to know Draco; I know my son and I feared the people he would associate with. Harrison is a wonderful friend for him, I will help in any way I can during the trial," Lucius said, looking fondly at Draco and noticing that Harrison clearly held court amongst his friends. The boy was a natural leader, he noticeably took control and others followed without question. The boy, when he was older, could easily become somebody great. He would gladly help him now, for he knew the boy's future would be boundless.
"Harry does seem to pick great friends," Remus said, looking at the small group.
"Thank you," Sirius said, acknowledging his fellow Lord's offer of aid, before he continued, "I'm glad. From what I know about his past, he didn't have any friends or, well, anybody really, to confide in. His friends - including Draco - are important to him."
"I know you said the newspaper reports were true last night, but perhaps you would be willing to share?" Lucius asked. He was quite curious about the boy. Harrison didn't act like a typically abused child, instead he was quietly confident. He walked with his head held high and a self-assurance that was remarkable for any twelve-year-old, let alone one who grew up like he had.
Sirius looked at Harry for a moment. He knew Harry said it was fine for the world to know, and Lucius would be voting in the custody trial as a Lord and member of the Wizengamot anyway, but he still had reservations. Deciding it would be okay, as long as he didn't go into specifics, Sirius replied, "They would hurt him when he used magic growing up. You've probably noticed Harry is rather magical for a child and, well, whenever it came out accidently he would be punished for it. They also didn't feed him properly."
Lucius gave a small sneer. "And they wonder why we dislike muggles," he muttered quietly but the two men heard.
After lunch, Harry and his friends decided to go and look at the animals. Harry questioned if he should out himself as a parselmouth - he doubted the duelling club incident would occur as they would be no Chamber of Secrets fiasco this year - but he wasn't sure if he should risk it. However, if he outs himself then he would be able to control the way people perceived it - or so he hoped.
The girls instantly ran off towards the kneazle kittens and promptly started cooing. The boys followed as though reluctant, but Harry could see that both Neville and Draco found the small fluffy creatures adorable. Harry himself was not immune to their playful charm.
"When I was younger, I begged to have one," Draco confided, looking at a pure black kitten, rare for a kneazle as they were usually orange or tabby toned. He summarised it may be a mixed breed.
"I was fonder of snakes myself, especially as I can speak to them," Harry said and waited for the silence to fall. It did and it was almost comical - the adults also going silent as they had caught up just in time to hear Harry's announcement. Sirius looked shocked, and had turned rather pale, reminding Harry he was afraid of snakes.
"You-you're a parselmouth?" Neville asked bravely, squeaking that last word.
"Yes, I didn't realise it was such a rare magical ability until recently. Did you know there hasn't been a parselmouth in the Potter family since they were known as the Peverells?" Harry said, making sure it was known he had inherited the gift. He didn't want Dumbledore spreading his drivel about the transfer of power or some such rubbish.
"The Potters are descended from the Peverell family?" Draco asked astonished. Every wizarding child knew the Tale of the Three Brothers. It was a classic that they all grew up listening to.
"Yes, the youngest brother Ignotus had a son, Titus, who had only one child: a daughter. She, Castella Peverell, married my ancestor Atticus Potter, bringing about the end of the family name Peverell, as it joined the Potter line," Harry explained. He had looked up his family tree one day in the Black library as they had books on many families. He had found he was related to pretty much everybody he knew in some distant way - Neville had been right, all purebloods and most half-bloods really were related.
"It's a very rare gift you possess, Harrison," Lucius said, his shock finally settling. To hear this small boy possessed the same gift as his master was both surprising and not - it just made him more intrigued by the mystery that was Harrison James Potter-Black.
They fell silent until Susan bravely smiled at Harry. "Do they have much to say? Snakes, that is," she asked, sounding genuinely curious; she also had a determined glint in her eye. Most likely her determination not to be afraid.
Harry smiled. "Some do. They're rather like humans in the aspect that they're all different; some have a lot to say whilst some don't, some are rather nice and some are less so. I've not met many snakes to be honest, so I can't give you great insight."
"It would be fascinating, I suppose, to be able to understand them," Hannah said. She also smiled at Harry in reassurance.
"Fascinating? It would be brilliant!" Draco said in a rare show of emotion.
"I'm glad you're all talking this so well; I feared how people would react when they found out. I had read about how rare the gift was and how the last person known for possessing it was Voldemort."
Lucius flinched slightly at the name, but didn't say anything about Harry's use of it. "A rare gift, indeed. I believe the line of Slytherin also married into the Peverell family at one stage. Perhaps that is how the gift was shared?"
"Perhaps," Harry agreed. He knew that the Slytherin family ring was the ring famous for being a Deathly Hallow, so he assumed it had something to do with the middle brother.
"Do you want a snake?" Sirius asked bravely, hoping Harry would decline. He didn't know why he feared them so much, but he had hated the animals since he was a boy. Their eyes and the feel of their flesh made his hair stand on end.
Harry considered saying yes just to see what Sirius would do, but eventually declined. "Thank you, but no, I'm okay. I fear Hedwig would react badly to me taking another pet."
Eventually the day came to an end. After the pet shop, the group had finished their school shopping and each one had promised to write and meet up when they could.
Returning to Grimmauld Place, Harry told the men he would go and put his stuff away before dinner. He barely stopped himself from running upstairs with glee. Carefully pulling out a box lined with runes and heavily warded, Harry allowed his magic to surge, making the box open. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the book. All day Harry had been almost fanatically caressing the soul container with his magic. He was still wearing the locket; a notice-me-not charm and an anti-removal hex placed on the necklace just in case someone got too nosy.
Wearing the locket soothed something within Harry and, if he could have guaranteed the diary's safety, he would have kept it on him. However, he didn't want to risk Tom's soul like that, so instead he had created a box that was practically indestructible. It would take an experienced team of curse and ward breakers to get into without Harry's permission. Placing the diary inside, Harry caressed it one last time before resetting the charms and curses.
He had worked for a week on the box, looking up the spells in his own books then later in Black library books. The box masked even Harry's ability to sense the soul piece, so Harry didn't need to worry about if Grimmauld did get raided; the chances of anybody being interested in a box which gave off little magical signature was small.
Returning to the kitchen, Harry saw that Kreacher had make a light dinner for the three of them, having been told they would eat out for lunch. Tucking in, Harry realised he had yet to write to Severus about obtaining Remus' Wolfsbane. He reminded himself that he would do so after dinner and left straight away to make sure he wouldn't forget again once he was finished eating.
Entering the library, Harry settled into his own chair and summoned some parchment and ink.
Professor Snape,
You gave me leave to contact you if I required your assistance during the summer holidays. I'm sure you're aware, as I have no doubt you have been contacted, that you have realised what it is I have done to remain safe from my relatives.
I know from a reliable source that you hold no love for Sirius Black and I do not blame you for it. Yet, I hope you would consider meeting him again and trying to bury your past feelings. The man you knew is not the man I have come to know; he has changed and he really is a great guardian for me. I honestly feel like I have a family in Sirius.
However, I seem to have gone off track. I know that this is not the type of help you were offering me sir, but honestly, I didn't know who else to ask. As you're probably aware, Mr. Black and myself have an acquaintance who suffers from a monthly lunar related condition.
As you know, getting a reliable source of Wolfsbane is difficult as many of the mainstream apothecaries sell diluted potions. If you could, I, along with Sirius and our acquaintance, would be immensely grateful if you were to brew us a monthly supply of the potion. The cost of ingredients and labour would be covered by Sirius.
I understand if you don't feel able to do so and, if that is the case, I would be grateful for you to recommend a different source of the potion.
Gratefully,
Harrison J Potter
With the letter written, Harry went and found Hedwig who was fluffing her wings in Harry's room on her perch.
"Hey there, beautiful girl. Would you mind taking this to Severus Snape for me?" he asked the snowy owl as he scratched behind her neck in a way she loved.
Hedwig took the letter and gave Harry an affectionate nip before she took flight. Since Harry had started to write to his friends near daily, he no longer felt like he was ignoring her and letting her sit idle.
With the letter written and everything prepared for the trial until tomorrow's meeting with Dodge, Harry decided he would dedicate more time to his search of Tom's cure. He had been going through all the Black family books that related to soul magic and had yet to find an answer, however, if asked, he would probably count as a master of the art with all he had learnt.
Looking through the shelves, Harry felt more than hear Sirius come in. The man sat in the chair closest to Harry;s and waited for Harry to return. Once Harry had found a book which looked promising - Core and Soul Magic Stretching - he returned and sat down. However, he didn't pick up the book and immediately start to read. Instead, he placed it down by his chair. Harry could feel Sirius through their bond; ever since the day at the bank their godfather bond had subtly faded, so for Harry to feel his emotions and intents they had to be strong. The man really wanted to talk to Harry.
"I just want you to know that you can trust me, Harry. I know with your past you may find it hard to believe, but I really am in your corner. I will never judge you for anything, or any branch of magic you wish to study, but please - I've noticed the books you've been reading. Soul magic is dangerous. I trust you, I know you're a strong wizard, much stronger than you let be shown, but I want you to be careful," he said. Sirius looked both desperate and defensive, like he expected Harry to lash out.
Harry sighed. "I know this answer won't help ease your worry much, but I need you to trust me for just a bit longer. I do know what I'm doing, just please.…" Harry trailed off, unsure how to answer.
Sirius sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I want to tell you a story. You know how I mentioned my cousin Bella and how we were never that close? Well, it's because Bella loved the Dark arts - which is fine, there's nothing wrong with loving them," Sirius quickly added, making sure Harry knew he didn't care about dark magic. "But you see, although she was - is - a powerful witch, she experimented a lot with them. She did things when she was young, younger than you, that twisted her magic - her mind. She's broken. I do trust you, Harry, but I would never forgive myself if I just sat back and watched you do something like Bella did to herself. The Dark arts are addictive, and for Dark witches and wizards - which, like me, and I suspect like you are - they make you feel powerful. I was too young to do anything about Bella, I didn't understand, but I can do something about you. Now, I will not tell you or force you to stop, but I will say this: I need you to be careful. I can't lose you, Harry."
Harry sighed. He wanted to tell Sirius the truth now, but for some reason the words just wouldn't come out.
Instead, he stood and hugged the man. "I promise Siri, you will not lose me."
Sirius inhaled Harry's scent deeply and kissed his head. "I had better not or I will find a necromancer and force you back," he vowed.
Though Sirius was probably just exaggerating, Harry thought he heard a hint of truth.
After their chat, Sirius left Harry alone in the library with his books. With his concentration shot, Harry picked up the book and sighed. There wasn't much in it that he hadn't already learnt. It didn't help that Tom had seemingly done the impossible and had created multiple horcruxes, making it hard for Harry to find any cases of something even barely similar happening. After another hour, Harry closed the book with a sigh. He was beginning to think that his conviction that the answer was somewhere in the library was wrong. Stretching, Harry felt restless and decided to blow off steam in the duelling room.
Entering, Harry was surprised to see Remus and Sirius engaged in a duel. With the full moon only a week away, Remus was slightly more aggressive than usual and Harry noted he tended to try and avoid confrontation as a personal rule a week before moons - when he could avoid it, that is. However, seeing the two men fight, Harry was impressed: Sirius had come far in his recovery. His form was not yet perfect, but it was a long way away from what it had been, and his magic was almost back to full strength.
Seeing them fight, Harry picked up on their styles: Sirius was looser in his form naturally, his agility making his movements hard to predict, whereas Remus was stiffer but his wolf gave him lightning reflexes. Sirius used unconventional methods when duelling, some of his spells being used to throw his opponents off such a prank spells and jinxing his surroundings, whereas Remus stuck to more traditional combat spells. Both were powerful, but Harry could see that it was Sirius who would most likely win. He seemed to come alive when duelling, the thrill making his magic hum excitedly.
Eventually Harry's prediction came through when Sirius used a spell chain that included an icy floor jinx, resulting in Remus losing his balance and throwing off his defence.
Harry clapped when it was over and the two men looked over, surprised at their quiet audience.
"How long have you been there?" Remus asked, sounding slightly breathless.
"Since Sirius tried to curse your hair to grow ten feet," Harry replied, making Sirius laugh.
"It's a good distraction tactic when it hits," the animagus defended, still chuckling.
Harry nodded. "I don't doubt it," Harry agreed. It was a good tactic to use as in a real fight - people don't expect such diversity.
Sirius grinned and snapped his fingers to summon Kreacher. The elf appeared with a pop and glared before he saw Harry. "Little Master requires something?" he asked, ignoring the fact it was Sirius who summoned him.
Sirius glared while Remus chuckled under his breath. Harry, however, smiled at the elf. "Could you please bring up a pitcher of lemonade and three glasses?" he asked.
"Yes, Little Master, Kreacher will be doing as Little Master asks," the elf said, disappearing with a quiet pop.
Sirius grumbled about demented elves, making Harry laugh. "It's not funny! I swear, if it wasn't for the fact that you so clearly like him, that elf would be gone," Sirius whined.
"Then it's a good thing he's my friend," Harry said, just as Kreacher popped back with their lemonade.
Hearing his Little Master defend him, Kreacher puffed up his chest with pride and poured the Little Master a glass, leaving the pitcher for the mutt and wolf to help themselves. The Little Master was such a good Master, just like Master Regulus had been, defending poor Kreacher.
After they had drunk their lemonade, Sirius asked if Harry wanted to duel. Harry considered it, but he knew he would only get frustrated in the end having to restrict himself. He needed to find a cure for Tom, as then he would feel comfortable coming clean.
Declining, Harry said he was actually feeling quite tired. As it was nearing nine, he would instead head to bed after having a bath.
AN: Big thank you to my Beta reader miisticalwrites for taking the time to check this for me!
Remember people that reviews are always appreciated but I won't hold the story to ransom for them.
Updates should come every few days and like usual this is being posed on Ao3 under the same name.
Hope you enjoy reading
~ Annie