Unedited (because it's late and I'm tired).

March 26, 1988

"Harry!"

The little boy looked up at Hilde's cry, but beyond that base acknowledgment he showed no other emotion; neither tired relief nor his usual mischievous contrition. He sat stiffly while she embraced him, his green eyes locked onto Sirius over her shoulder.

"Y'alrigh', there, kiddo?" Dung asked, looking ill at ease surrounded by law enforcement. Harry nodded, despite the blood on his neck and collar, dried and flaking.

The auror's office was their second stop, Kitezh's small clinic being their first. It had been a frantic half hour, and even (unfairly) screaming at Mundungus did nothing to ease Sirius' fear. Deep down, he knew that he, himself, was to blame for Harry's disappearance.

He'd been too indulgent. Every time Harry had run off and found trouble, Sirius superimposed James onto Harry's antics. But this Potter wasn't growing up in safety and security. Even in Hanover, where the physical threats were far less than here in Russia, Sirius should have been firmer, more stern with controlling the child.

Sirius swallowed, a sick feeling welling up within him. He wasn't raising a mini-James, he was raising Harry Potter, a child he'd rescued from his negligent mother, one who wielded the power to vanquish a Dark Lord at just a year old.

"What happened?" he asked the auror standing beside Harry.

"Your boy was found in the central market, alongside three dead men."

"Thank Merlin he's alright! We appreciate you escorting him to safety, auror. Come along, Harry." Hilde released him, and Sirius bent down to embrace Harry himself. "Is there any parchmentwork that needs to be filled, or can we take him home now?"

"It's not so simple. There are questions about what he was doing there, how he managed to survive."

"Like what?" Sirius asked. "You're telling me you think a child managed to best three grown wizards?"

"No, but feya do not discriminate, nor are they charitable to the young. He claims the beast escaped, but this is not the whole truth. Answers must be provided before we release him."

Sirius frowned. "Harry, go wait with Hilde while I speak with the auror, okay?" Once he was out of earshot, Sirius faced the Russian. "Sir, I understand there may be confusion over the series of events that took place this morning. But I hardly think a seven year-old child can provide you with any answers."

The Russian auror gave a slow nod. "Very well, I will release him into your custody. You will, however, need to provide proof of identity, and not leave Kitezh until the investigation has concluded. The child may have seen more than he understands."

"It would be best for my son to put this whole unfortunate affair behind him," Sirius started, withdrawing a heavy coin purse from his belt as he spoke. "The last thing he needs is to be associated with some foul creature's mad rampage."

The coin purse landed on the auror's desk with a heavy clunk. "Three men are dead. Filling out a single report is hardly an association."

Sirius reached into his robes. "I think it would be for the best for all parties involved if no one knew he was even present when this happened." A second, equally large sack of gold hit the desk.

The auror's eyes never didn't move from the gold, and it was nearly a minute before he replied. "I hope being picked up by law enforcement has taught your boy not to violate curfew again. Kitezh at night is no place for a young child."

"I'll make sure he understands."

"Very well. Be on your way."

Sirius rejoined the others. "Come, let's get back to the inn."

"What about the aurors? They said Harry-"

He interrupted Hilde. "They know he had nothing to do with it. Let's go."

They walked back in relative silence, Harry not even responding to Dung's ribbing when he handed over a pair of lockpicks he'd apparently lifted off the ne'er do well. The silence carried on until they reached the inn.

"Hilde will take you upstairs to pack your things. No dawdling, do you understand?"

"Father- what happened, in the market-"

"It's okay. We're going to have a talk about you running off, but I'm not angry with you."

"You don't understand, when she touched me I felt-"

"Harry." Sirius tried to keep his frustration out of his voice, but obviously failed by the way his face fell. "Upstairs, to bed." He met Hilde's eyes, and she nodded, lifting him into her arms and carrying him inside. "I need you to do me a favour, Dung."

"What's up, chief?"

"There's a piece of property I'm going to purchase, on the banks of the Volga. An old Tsarist palace that's apparently changed hands a few times since the '20s. Look into it, see if you can find out why."

"You got it."

They pushed open the door to the inn, and he found Yuri clearing empty glasses off a table. "Can you get your cousin here?"

"Dmitri? Why?"

"I need to discuss a business deal with him."

"Too late for business."

Sirius loudly exhaled, the events of the night taking their toll on his mood. "Not if he wants to make a deal. Get him here, now."

Yuri regarded him, taking a stark appraisal of Sirius' mood before he reluctantly nodded, heading to the back of the inn. Sirius only managed to down two shots of vodka before he returned, Dmitri in tow.

"My cousin tells me you've made a decision?" he asked, wearing a nightshirt hastily tucked into a set of trousers.

"I'll take the house at the asking price."

"Wonderful! Yuri, set us up, we're celebrating!"

Sirius held up a hand. "No, we're not. I want the deal done immediately. We'll be moving in tonight."

Dmitri blinked, momentarily taken aback by the demand, but shrugged and offered a genial smile. "Give me five minutes to fetch the documents."

He was back in three, actually, and after a few signatures and a couple of drops of blood, the transaction was complete.

"Congratulations," Dmitri said. "Let me be the first to officially welcome you to Russia, Lord Black."

She couldn't hold back an alarmed cry when he spoke.

"You called for me?"

Even if she weren't blind, Lily would have jumped in surprise at his gravelly voice sounding from the kitchen behind her. Placing a steadying hand on her work table to calm herself, it took her a moment to gather herself. "Thanks for coming, Alastor."

"Nice place you got here. Never had much of a sweet tooth, myself, but I hear you've done well."

"Thank you," she said, briefly considering making small talk, but ultimately dismissing it. Mad-Eye wasn't the type for chit-chat. "I need help."

"Someone been hassling you? It was bound to happen sooner or later. Yours is the only muggleborn-owned business on Diagon." He paused. "Of course, judging by the sort of protections the Black vaults can pay for, only the best or the most stupid would try."

"No, it's not that. I heard you've gone independent since retiring from the DMLE."

"That's right."

"I have a job for you." Lily took a deep breath. "I want you to find my son."

"Your son? The one that's been dead for six years?"

She grit her teeth, but nodded. "Yes. I don't have much gold, but I can take out a lien against the bakery. You'll be well compensated."

"Albus has mentioned a few things over the years about what happened that night," Moody said. "He's never been one to let go of a mystery, especially one involving magic he can't understand."

"So you'll take the job?"

"No." His reply was flat, unequivocal. "Just because the Dark Lord's gone doesn't mean the war's over. There are people here that need me, I can't go running off on a wild goose chase. But I think I know someone that will."

"Who?"

"One of my associates. I left the DMLE because I got tired of waiting for a curse in the back, be it from an Imperiused auror or just one that turned coat. Gathered a few of the old gang to fight back more effectively." Lily nodded like she understood, despite having consciously made no effort to keep up with the ongoing war. "He's my best tracker, but I'm not sure whether he's willing to help."

"Like I said, I can pay-"

"Not a matter of gold, lass," Moody interrupted. "You've got a bit of history with him. I'm talking about Remus Lupin."

'Oh.' The last time Lily had seen Remus, it had been to accuse him of being the traitor in their midst. They'd nearly crossed wands had James not intervened. Unlike Sirius, he'd not attended James' funeral nor spoken to her since, though Sirius did let slip it was Remus who captured Pettigrew. "I see."

"Do you still want me to ask him?"

She swallowed heavily. "Yes. Even if he refuses, I still owe him an apology."

"Alright. I'll set it up."

March 30, 1988

"Your qualifications are very impressive, as is your list of references."

"Thank you," the man said, leaning back and folding his hands over his expansive belly. "Yours wouldn't be the first family I've instructed in Russia, although I must say it is surprising to see an Englishman settling here. May I ask why you elected not to send your son to Hogwarts?"

"He's only seven."

The charms master raised his eyebrows. "You want to hire me to teach theory to a little boy?"

Sirius nodded. "Yes. Is there a problem?"

"No- well, yes, actually. The material that I cover is advanced, intended as a replacement for institutional education, not just a supplement. Without being able to practice magic, you're vastly overpaying for what an introductory textbook could just as easily accomplish."

"You're underestimating my son. He's already proven himself capable of grand magic, beyond what most adult wizards and witches could hope to achieve," Sirius said, thinking of the devastated second floor of the cottage in Godric's Hollow. "You'll see for yourself when you begin."

The man looked intrigued. "I suppose we'll see, then. Now, as far as starting dates go, I should inform you that I am under contract with my current client until the first of June, doing NEWT preparations. Is that satisfactory?"

"It is." Sirius checked his watch, then stood with his hand extended. "I'm glad we were able to come to an agreement. I am, however, scheduled to meet with a runologist in a half-hour. My associate will provide you with a portkey in the entrance hall."

Leaving Mundungus to sort out the charms instructor, Sirius sought out Hilde and Harry. As was typical since their hurried move to the property - he'd decided to name it Blackriver Manor - he found them in the kitchens.

Hilde caught sight of his entrance, holding a finger to her lips and tipping her chin in the direction of the attached servants' quarters. Treading softly, Sirius made his way over, pausing out of sight just outside the doorway.

"-but Mipsy begs young master not to speaks of this!"

"I didn't mean to upset you," Harry said. "I only want to understand."

"Elveses serve to belong, and belong to serve! Master Harry doesn't need to thinks abouts it!"

"But how can you know, if you've never experienced it?"

Mipsy, who'd been with them since Sirius moved to Hanover, replied with tears in her voice, "Mipsy doesn't want to knows about unknowns! If Mipsy's meant to knows it, she already would!"

"What are you doing, Harry?"

He jumped, his head whipping around almost comically at the sound of Sirius' voice. "N-nothing. Just talking to Mipsy."

"You shouldn't bother the elves unless you need something," he said, before turning to Mipsy. "You may return to your duties."

She practically sobbed in relief. "Master is gracious!"

The elf disappeared with a pop! "I just met with one of your new teachers…" Harry was staring at where Mipsy had stood, holding his hand out and turning his wrist so his palm faced up and then down. "Harry? What are you doing?"

"Why don't house elves use wands?"

Sirius blinked. "Well, I suppose it's because they don't need them to fulfill their duties. They manage just fine with their own magic."

"Their own magic…" Harry mumbled.

"Say, why don't you and Hilde go explore the grounds some more?"

"Oh, alright."

He watched Harry trot off back to the kitchens, feeling slightly off-balance. Harry had been acting somewhat peculiar since they left Kitezh. He'd told Sirius about seeing the fairy with Hilde and then again with Mundungus, about wanting to free it from the trappers that captured her, about the fairy proceeding to make short work of them once he did. Sirius couldn't detect any fear or trepidation in Harry while he recited the tale. There had been no nightmares, no sign of trauma or injury.

Nonetheless, something had changed in the boy.

When he was ready to talk, Sirius would listen. Until then, he'd just keep Harry's mind off whatever it was that preoccupied him. He'd been meeting with tutors and instructors from the day after they'd moved into Blackriver. He was determined to do right by James' boy.

In the meantime, Sirius made a mental note to add an expert on magical creatures to his interview list.

April 10, 1988

Hannah carefully balanced the flowers on the nightstand, correcting the few stems that moved out of place within the arrangement. Then she took a seat on the edge of the bed, combing her father's hair and trimming his nails. She'd only just finished telling him about her lesson with Miss Vance when Auntie Amelia came in.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Almost," she said, finishing her update before hugging her father and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I'll see you next week, Daddy."

"I thought we could stop by Florean's before we went home. Would you like that?"

"Shouldn't we go get Susan, first?" Hannah didn't much like the idea of her surrogate sister missing out on a treat.

"No, she'll be fine with Emmaline for a little longer. I thought it could be just you and me today."

"Alright, then." She accompanied Amelia to the Floo, emerging into the Leaky Cauldron.

They walked to the ice cream shop, where they each got a scoop of chocolate before Amelia led her to a seat. She withdrew her wand and cast a privacy spell around them. "There's something we need to talk about."

The confrontation she and Susan had overheard two weeks before instantly came to mind, but Hannah still asked, "About what?"

Amelia stirred her ice cream, moving it around the paper cup until it was mushy and formless. "You know our families are very close. Did you know your mother was my second cousin?"

Hannah nodded. "From Great-Great-Grandma Beatrice."

"I see Emmaline has been doing a good job on your family lessons," Amelia said with a smile, but it soon fell away. "When the incident at the hippogriff preserve happened, I never thought twice about taking custody of you. I love you, Hannah, just as much as I do Susan."

"I love you, too, Auntie."

"Your father, he was such a brilliant man. If- if things had been different, I have no doubt he would have ended up one of the most important men in the country. He had a gift, a talent to spot anywhere a Galleon could be made."

Hannah pushed away her ice cream, suddenly not so hungry. "I know."

"I was never one for business; I found my calling early on and never strayed from that path. So when I took custody of you, I paid someone else to manage the businesses and investments your father made, until you were old enough to make decisions about them for yourself."

"But something happened, didn't it? Something bad?"

"Yes." Amelia scooted her chair closer, putting a supporting arm around Hannah's shoulders. "I'm sad to say that, without your father to protect them, other businessmen were able to take apart what he'd built. I'm so sorry, dear. I- I'm ashamed to admit I didn't see it coming. If I were better with numbers, more in tune with the economic side of things, maybe… maybe things would have been different. I failed you."

Hannah blinked away her tears and gave a short nod. If Auntie Amelia couldn't stop it, then she doubted anyone else could have. "It's okay."

"No, it's not. I hired a forensic accountant, and there were a number of inopportune events that rival estates capitalised on in ways that are unlikely to be coincidences."

"Are you saying- does that mean that my family's businesses were picked on specifically?" Hannah tried to keep up with the conversation, but it was confusing.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. It's looking more and more likely that's what happened." Amelia paused and looked away, as though she weren't sure if she should go on or not. "Hannah… it's possible that what happened to your Mum and Dad wasn't an accident."

She froze. "What?"

"I've opened an investigation, but with the amount of time that's passed, it's going slowly. I promise, I'm going to do everything in my power to return what's rightfully yours. Do you understand, Hannah? I'm not going to give up until I make this right."

Hannah's lip trembled. "Auntie… can I- I mean, would it be alright if I went to see Miss Lily?"

"Already closing up for the day?"

His voice had changed, rougher and slightly hoarse as though from disuse. She tried to focus on his outline, but all she was able to discern was that he still had all his arms and legs. "Not many customers this late in the afternoon; parents don't want to ruin little appetites, I suppose. How are you, Moony?"

"It's Remus," he said, and what little civility in his voice vanished. "Mad-Eye said you had a job you needed doing."

She deserved that. "Yes. But- I also owe you an apology. I shouldn't have treated you like I did. But at that point… It felt like there were threats looming around every corner, and everyone knew there was a leak in the Order, and- and…"

"And why not just blame the werewolf, right?"

Lily shook her head. "I thought, with the way magicals are so prejudiced, you'd have every reason to want a change, even if it was the worst sort for the rest of us."

"I see, so because werewolves are treated poorly by everyone else, that's a reason to suspect them and treat them poorly," Remus shot back. "Brilliant logic, coming from a muggleborn-turned-squib."

"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say." An awkward silence fell over the bakery before Lily pressed on. "Alastor tells me you're working with him, now?"

"Yes. I'm finally able to use my curse to do something to help others."

She smiled fondly at him. "James would be proud to hear you say that."

"He was a good man. Better than you deserved."

Lily closed her eyes, his words driving a lance of grief into her chest. "Regarding the job, I can pay you for your help."

"Mad-Eye said something along those lines. What exactly will I be doing?"

"You know there was a prophecy given about my son?"

"Yes, but only a vague hint at what it referred to."

Lily took a deep breath, this topic resurrecting bad memories of their year in hiding. "It essentially painted a target on Harry's back. I consulted with a number of experts, many of them from foreign lands. If someone-" she shook her head. "Whoever took him might have done so based on information they received from one of the individuals I was communicating with."

"Okay. It seems a little thin, but it's your gold. I suppose you want me to track them down and check them out?" His voice was sceptical, but he hadn't outright refused. Yet.

"Yes, but first you'll have to go to Sirius. Most of my notes and correspondence didn't make it through that Halloween, and what little survived I destroyed myself. I gave Sirius a full list of everyone I spoke with."

"Got it. How many people are we talking, roughly?"

She mentally tabulated the number in her head. "About thirty-" There was a sudden pounding at the bakery's door, then the frantic knocking settled into a familiar pattern. "Excuse me, just a moment."

Lily slowly made her way to the entrance. Even though she spent most of her waking hours in this space, she'd had a few spills in the past from various items left behind by her customers that she knew better than to rush through the front of the shop.

Waiting on the other side of the door was Hannah, and before the door was even all the way open, Lily could hear the girl's sobs. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

The girl was inconsolable, crying against Lily for more than a minute before she composed herself enough to answer.

"-and, and Auntie says what happened to my Mum and Dad might not have been an accident at all."

"That's horrible," she said, gently running her fingers through the girl's blonde curls. "I'm so sorry!"

Hannah sniffed loudly, her small arms still wrapped around Lily. "It's not fair. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with hurting my family."

"I'm sure Amelia won't stop until she's found out the truth," Lily offered, glancing over her shoulder, seeking out Remus' outline to ensure he hadn't left.

"Maybe. She-" Hannah hiccupped, but managed to hold back any further tears. "But it's been a long time. She said it would be difficult." For the first time, the little girl noticed they weren't alone in the shop. "Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't- I just… I wanted to see you. I'm sorry for bothering you."

Lily kneeled down to hug her tightly. "You never bother me, ever. You can always come see me, okay?"

"Okay."

Trailing her fingers up the girl's face, Lily wiped away her tears. "I wish there was something I could do, some way I could-" She abruptly went silent. There was something she could do.

Slowly rising to her feet, Lily turned in Remus' direction. "I've changed my mind."

"Oh?"

She nodded. "There's something else I'd like you to look into." She squeezed Hannah's shoulder. "Something closer to home."

A/N: Just realized we never had a Harry POV scene in this chapter. Oh well. He'll get plenty of attention later.

A little glimpse into Sirius' rationalizations here ("rescued" Harry from Lily) - almost no one thinks of themselves as a villain. It's the most natural thing in the world to justify misdeeds you'd castigate others for. In Sirius' mind, he didn't do anything wrong in taking Harry from Lily.

We'll be jumping forward in time in greater and greater leaps from here on out. I've got a few twists and a couple of major plot points to cover, but the next few chapters will cover several years, rather than several weeks.

Stay safe, healthy, and happy! ~Frickles