AN: Happy New Year! Hopefully this next year is better for everyone, whether you had a good 2023 or not. With that being said, here's the next chapter!
Quill will 1981 - I'm glad you liked last Monday's surprise chapter. The whole incident was taking place on the grounds. While Sirius might have hoped to run to the Shack or the Forest, Astra was too fast for him to do so. Hopefully you enjoy learning the rat's fate.
Arctic Wolf Fury - Glad you enjoy competent Harry and his doom puppy!
Jet22345 - Oof! Last chapter was longer than the one before! I am humbled that you are enjoying the story enough that even longer chapters feel short! Thanks!
Mewpagano - Your continued support is always appreciated!
scrappy8 - Thanks! Yep, the truth is out there!
hushpuppy22 - Thanks! This version of Harry isn't someone to fuck around with. Too much influence from a god and familiar who will happily eviscerate people both in life and in death!
Alexandramay - Thanks! Hopefully your wishes are fulfilled this chapter!
LadyKitai - Thanks! Hopefully you like what I did with this week's chapter.
Chapter 21Ron and Hermione led the way towards the castle, with Pettigrew right behind them, controlled by Harry, and with Lupin standing nearby. Lastly was Harry, Sirius, and Astra bringing up the rear. A simple walk across the grounds and this would be over.
"You know what this means?" Black said abruptly to Harry as they walked behind the group across the grounds. "Turning Pettigrew in?"
"You're free," said Harry.
"Yes . . ." said Black. "But I'm also - I don't know if anyone ever told you - I'm your godfather. "
"Yeah, I knew that," said Harry.
"Well . . . your parents appointed me your guardian," said Black stiffly. "If anything happened to them . . ."
Harry waited. Did Black mean what he thought he meant?
"I'll understand, of course, if you want to stay with your aunt and uncle," said Black. "But . . . well . . . think about it. Once my name's cleared . . . if you wanted a . . . a different home . . ."
Harry couldn't help but feel something warm fill the pit of his stomach. It was strange. A few years ago, he'd begged for some long lost family to find him, to save him from the Dursleys, and then incredibly it had happened with Dora. Now, it was happening again. He certainly didn't want to leave Dora, but at the same time, he couldn't help but wonder what could have been, since in a kinder world, even one where his parents had died, he would have grown up with this man, and in a much kinder world, this man would have been like an uncle to him while he grew up with his parents.
"I don't live with my aunt and uncle anymore," Harry admitted, and Black - Sirius - looked at him startled.
"Then where do you live?" Sirius asked. "I - I was told that you were going to Lily's family - that's partially why I went after Wormtail!"
"Well . . . I did live with the Dursleys up until after my first year at Hogwarts," Harry admitted, "but . . . well they weren't very good to me . . ."
Sirius's eyes filled with sorrow.
"But thankfully, my first year, Dora started writing to me," Harry said with a smile. "She took me in when she realized the Dursleys . . . what the Dursleys were like and is now my legal guardian."
"Dora . . . My cousin?" Sirius said with wonder. "Little Nymphadora Tonks?"
Harry nodded and chuckled. "I wouldn't call her that though. She hexes anyone who calls her by her first name. She prefers Tonks, except for a few who call her Dora."
Sirius barked out a laugh. "She always did love you. Why her though? She's pretty young to be a guardian? Why didn't Andy and Ted take you in?"
Harry's face fell slightly. "They got sick and died a couple months before I started Hogwarts."
Sirius slumped slightly. "They were good people . . . some of the only blood family that I wasn't ashamed of."
"Dora tells me stories about them," Harry said with a nod. "They seem like they were the best."
"I guess . . . I guess you have a good home then," Sirius said, both looking happy to hear that, but also a little sad.
"Maybe . . . maybe we can work something out where I stay with you sometimes," Harry offered up, not wanting to lose his godfather just after getting him. "I generally stay with Mad-Eye while Dora's at work, but maybe I could come to your place occasionally instead."
"You'd want to do that?" he said, looking hopeful. "You mean it?"
"Yeah, I mean it!" said Harry.
Black's gaunt face broke into the first true smile Harry had seen upon it. The difference it made was startling, as though a person ten years younger were shining through the starved mask; for a moment, he was recognizable as the man who had laughed at Harry's parents' wedding.
The grounds were so dark now, but it made for a beautiful view looking up at the castle. They were so close. Pettigrew was still wheezing and occasionally whimpering. Harry's mind was buzzing. Three years ago, he'd had no family he cared to know, and now he was slowly putting the family he'd had with his parents back together.
And then -
A cloud shifted. There were suddenly dim shadows on the ground. Their party was bathed in moonlight.
Astra started growling. Lupin, Hermione, and Ron had stopped suddenly, which caused Pettigrew to stumble into them since Harry hadn't stopped him. Sirius froze and flung out one arm to make Harry stop.
Harry could see Lupin's silhouette. He had gone rigid. Then his limbs began to shake.
"Oh, my -" Hermione gasped. "Did he take his potion tonight? He might not be safe!"
"Run," Sirius whispered. "Run. Now."
"No," Harry said back swiftly. "Make sure Pettigrew doesn't get away. I've got Lupin!"
Sirius glanced at him in surprise. "You can't handle him!"
"Sirius, trust me. He's a creature of the night, and those . . . those are mine to deal with!"
Harry moved forward, releasing the spell on Pettigrew who stumbled back from Lupin and then glanced around before Ron and Hermione leveled their wands on him. Sirius glanced at Harry with concern as Harry pointed his wand at Lupin as Lupin let out a terrible snarling noise, his head lengthening as his body hid, and his shoulders hunching asa hair sprouted visibly on his face and hands which were curling into paws.
As the werewolf reared, snapping its long jaws, and charged at Harry, he yelled, "Speculum solidum tenebris!"
A shield of darkness formed between Harry and the werewolf, who slammed into it and was strongly rebuffed.
"Tene umbra," Harry said, and Harry's shadow sprung forward quickly, the pale moonlight only strengthening the darkness that gave Harry's magic power. Harry's shadow latched onto the werewolf and wrapped its way around it, holding the beast in place, though Harry could feel the beast straining against the spell, so Harry went for the finish. "Umbra cavea!"
The shadows holding the werewolf expanded and soon a cage formed around the beast, and while Moony tried to slam its way out of the cage, the darkness held.
"I've got him," Harry said, glancing over at Sirius, Ron, Hermione, Astra, and Pettigrew only for it suddenly to get very cold and for Harry to feel the familiar, icy cold penetrating his insides as fog started to obscure his vision. Harry glanced up to see a hundred dementors descending upon them from the sky, gliding in a black mass.
"Nooo," Sirius moaned, dropping onto his hands and knees. "Nooo . . . please . . ."
"Ron, watch Pettigrew, Hermione try to think of something happy!" Harry yelled, glancing up at the sky only for a flash of red to cause Harry to glance over and see Ron drop to a stunner, Pettigrew holding an unfamiliar wand. Of course, Pettigrew must have still had his own wand, and simply hadn't used it. They hadn't checked him! They had been fools!
Hermione tried to fire off a spell, but she fell to a stunner as well, and Sirius seemed out of commission due to the effects of the dementors. Pettigrew pointed his wand at Harry only for a snarling Astra to jump on him, pinning him to the ground.
Harry turned towards the werewolf he was still holding and quickly released the magic holding the rear of the cage and then he pointed his wand at Moony. "Tenebris industria telum!"
A black bolt of energy flew from Harry's wand and threw the front of the cage smashing into the werewolf and launching it out the rear of the cage with a pained yelp. The werewolf staggered to its feet and rushed off towards the forest, eager to escape Harry.
'Sorry, Professor.'
Harry turned to see Sirius having staggered over to Astra and Pettigrew and having physically disarmed Pettigrew, but with the dementors descending, something needed to happen.
Harry could feel his powers draining.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry shouted, pointing his wand towards the sky, but to his frustration, a shimmering mist appeared to shield him, and while it did deflect two dementors who flew at him, it wouldn't drive them all off.
Suddenly Astra started howling, a deep piercing howl that seemed to fill the night, and Harry's hopes rose when suddenly that howl was answered by another and another as grims started shadow traveling onto the grounds and attacking the dementors.
Still, the dementors' effects were still draining him and Sirius, and Harry watched as Sirius collapsed to the ground, next to where Pettigrew was. He saw Pettigrew glance at a distracted Astra and towards the woods.
"Stupefy!" Harry yelled, and Pettigrew noticed his stunner too late.
Harry fell to his knees, and glanced around, seeing roughly a dozen Grims had answered his familiars call, but it wasn't enough, and unlike the last time when Astra had only fought the one, these dementors were clearly using their powers and their dead, sharp hands to attack the vastly outnumbered forces of Hades.
Harry thought about how he was getting his family back. He had Dora, the best sibling he could ask for, and now he could get his godfather too, and give Dora back her cousin. His familiar was fighting for her life with a pack of help, all to defend him. He needed to help. She needed his help.
Gathering every happy thought he could think of, knowing he'd done it before, from his knees, his mother's screams in his ears, Harry pointed his wand at the mass of dementors. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
And out of the end of his wand burst, not a shapeless cloud of mist, but a blinding, dazzling, silver animal. He screwed up his eyes, trying to see what it was, and smiled as he realized that it was the spitting image of his familiar. He hadn't been able to see it when he'd cast it during the Quidditch match.
The patronus Astra bounded forward towards where the real Astra and her pack of shadow hounds were fighting, and Harry watched as his patronus started forcing the dementors away, causing them to flee, and in some cases blasting them away with waves of blinding white power. Soon, the air was warm, and the patronus Astra moved to him, sat on her haunches, and silently joined into the triumphant howling that the various hell hounds had started up before she faded away.
Harry glanced over as some movement caught the corner of his eye and saw Sirius staggering to his knees, looking at Harry with shock and awe. It was only a moment later when Ron, Hermione, and Pettigrew all started to stir.
Ron and Hermione got up slowly before their memories caught up to them, and both nearly jumped to their feet, though Harry could see Ron grimacing in pain as he did so. They both leveled their wands at Pettigrew who had taken one look at the dozen hell hounds that surrounded him and immediately curled up into a fetal position on the ground and whimpered.
""Harry - what - what happened?" Ron asked, glancing around. "I remember the dementors . . . where did all these grims come from?"
"They answered Astra's call for aid," Harry explained, looking at the hounds gratefully.
"They killed all the dementors?" Hermione asked with a confused frown on her face. "I thought I saw hundreds of dementors, but there's only a dozen or so cloaked bodies on the ground."
"Harry drove the rest of the dementors away," Sirius rasped out.
"Harry, I can't believe it . . .'' Hermoine said in disbelief. "You conjured a Patronus that drove away all those Dementors! That's very, very advanced magic."
Harry blushed slightly, but then he ignored the slightly awed looks on his friends faces and moved over to where Astra and her friends were sitting.
"Thanks for the help girl," Harry whispered, scratching her ears as she sat down next to him. "You were brilliant tonight."
She licked his hand and then he turned his attention to the pack leader, a grim that was much bigger than Astra was, even in her larger form.
"Thank you for your help," Harry said solemnly, and he swore he felt an acknowledgement in his mind.
The grim wagged its tail, and then Harry watched them all, save Astra, melt into shadow and disappear, leaving the battleground silent and nearly empty.
Harry turned back to his friends, Sirius, and Pettigrew.
"We should get up to the castle," Harry said, but that plan was halted as the castle doors, which were so tantalizingly close opened up and Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, and Snape poured out onto the grounds towards them.
As Sprout, Flitwick, Snape, and McGonagall leveled their wands on Sirius, Ron and Hermione stepped in front of the hopefully soon-to-be-ex-convict. Harry met Dumbledore's eyes, and the Headmaster glanced over at Pettigrew before nodding at Harry.
"Professors, take a closer look at who we have with us," Harry said, a hint of pleading in his voice. "Sirius is innocent. He was framed by Pettigrew, who we have here."
"That's - that's Peter Pettigrew!" McGonagall exclaimed in agreement, looking at the whimpering man.
"It seems that a story needs to be told," Dumbledore said gravely. "I believe we should take this discussion up to my office. Severus, I believe we could use veritaserum. Filius, if you would be so kind as to call the Aurors? Minerva, please alert Miss Tonks. Pomona, I believe you should escort Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger to the hospital wing and apprise her of the situation. I will send Mr. Potter and Mr. Black after the Aurors are done with them."
Ron and Hermoine didn't look happy being sent off, but they didn't argue as the Professors all nodded and immediately went off to do as they had been asked.
It was a quiet group that made the journey to Dumbledore's office. Once there, Pettigrew was magically petrified, while Astra laid down underneath Fawkes's perch and observed Pettigrew. Sirius settled into a chair and sighed in relief, the years of Azkaban, months on the run, and battle with Astra not having done his physical health any favors.
Harry settled into a chair in front of Dumbledore's desk, while Dumbledore himself settled into his normal seat. Dumbledore seemed content to wait for those who would be joining them, and the rest of them were both tired and thinking of what was to come, which meant it was silent in the office as they waited.
It wasn't five minutes more before Snape walked in with a small vial in his hand and he moved to a corner to sit and observe, a scowl etched on his face. Not far behind him was Dora, nearly running in.
Harry stood up and she rushed over and pulled him into a hug before pulling back, and giving him an appraising look over, clearly checking for major injuries. Next she glanced over to Sirius, and Harry saw a mixture of confusion, happiness, hope, and fear on her face.
"We're waiting on the Minister for the story to be revealed," Dumbledore said, and Dora nodded slowly, before settling herself near Harry and joining the silence, and he could feel her nerves, while she stayed in contact with him, and he couldn't tell if she was trying to reassure him, or if she was drawing reassurance from him.
It was about five minutes after that that Flitwick came in, escorting four Aurors and the Minister himself.
Fudge took a look at Sirius and his face brightened.
"Oh, this is wonderful, Dumbledore, quite wonderful," Fudge said happily.
Sirius glanced at Fudge wearily, but Dumbledore beat them all to the punch.
"I'm afraid this isn't as cut and dry as you believe, Cornelius," Dumbledore said sadly.
He turned to the Aurors. "Messrs Vincent, O'Malley, Norton, Carlson," Dumbledore greeted politely. "It is a pleasure to see you young men again."
"What do you mean this isn't cut and dry?" Fudge asked nervously.
"Mr. Potter here brought in Sirius, but I'm afraid he turned up with another man . . . one who casts doubt on the details thirteen years ago."
At those words, the Aurors and Fudge all finally took a closer look at Pettigrew's paralyzed form.
"Peter Pettigrew," Fudge gasped out before looking at Dumbledore with a panicked face. "What - what is this?"
"I"m afraid that it seems that Sirius might be innocent, but we were waiting for you to hear the full story. Will you authorize Severus to use veritaserum on Pettigrew?"
"Yes, yes," Fudge said impatiently, looking at Pettigrew with a look of horror.
Snape moved forward and forced Pettigrew's jaw open and dropped three drops of the potion into Pettigrew's mouth.
Pettigrew's face lost all expression.
"What is your name?" Dumbledore asked.
"Peter Pettigrew," Pettigrew answered.
"Are you a Death Eater?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes," Pettigrew droned. Fudge gasped.
"Were you the Potter's secret keeper?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, Sirius Black suggested it, thinking it would be the perfect trick to fool the Dark Lord," Pettigrew answered in his still monotone voice. "Everyone, including Albus Dumbledore was told that Sirius was the Secret Keeper."
"What happened on the 1st of November of 1981 between you and Sirius Black?" Dumbledore asked.
The whole room froze with anticipation.
"Sirius tracked me down. He was angry, rash, and he didn't think that I'd try and fight him," Pettigrew droned. "It was easy to bait him into looking angry, and when I saw my chance, I yelled loudly about how Sirius had betrayed Lily and James, knowing the filthy muggles wouldn't be able to identify what really happened. Then I blasted the street apart, cut off my finger, and transformed into my animagus form, and disappeared into the sewers. I had hoped that the Aurors would kill Sirius, seeing him as a traitor to them, but they took him in. I worried, but then Crouch and Bagnold sent him to Azkaban without a trial and I knew that I was safe from reprisal from all but my Lord's servants."
Fudge's jaw dropped, and two of the Aurors and Dora grumbled angrily.
"Have you committed any other crimes?" Dumbledore asked severely.
"I'm an unregistered animagus," Pettigrew said tonelessly. "As a spy, I revealed information that led to the deaths of Edgar Bones and his family, Caradoc Dearborn, Benjy Fenwick, Dorcas Meadowes, Marlene Mckinnon and her family, and Gideon and Fabian Prewitt. I participated in the attacks on Marlene and Edgar, and personally tortured and killed Marlene as well as Edgar's youngest daughter, Joyce. I also raped and killed five muggle women and have been stealing from the Weasley family for the past thirteen years."
Harry stared as Sirius had stood up, glaring fiercely throughout Pettigrew's statement, looking like he was ready to rip Pettigrew apart all over again, and he had also noticed Dumbledore's face show a mixture of pain and fury, which told him that the people Pettigrew had mentioned had been friends of theirs.
"I think we've heard enough from Mr. Pettigrew," Dumbledore said quietly, and he saw nods of agreement from around the room, with more than one looking at Pettigrew with hatred. "Now, let's hear from Mr. Black."
Sirius explained everything, confessing to being an unregistered Animagus and explaining how he escaped Azkaban, and why he escaped. He talked about traveling up north and the times he'd broken into Hogwarts leading up to the confrontation that had occurred that night, which included mentioning how the dementors had attacked them and would have kissed them all if it weren't for Harry
When the tale was complete, the Aurors questioned Harry, who answered honestly before they finally nodded, and two of them gathered Pettigrew.
One of the Aurors - Carlson - finally came over.
"Mr. Black, you'll need to report to the Ministry to testify against Pettigrew and to collect your belongings that were seized when you were captured. A reparations hearing will be conducted to determine what you are owed for your incarceration."
Sirius nodded, a look of relief on his face, as the Aurors, Pettigrew, and Fudge started making their way out towards the exit.
"Cornelius, does that mean the dementors will be removed from my school?" Dumbledore asked, and Fudge turned to him and ran his fingers through his hair, distractedly.
"Oh yes, they'll have to go. Never dreamed they'd attempt to administer the Kiss on an innocent boy . . . completely out of control . . . and not the first incident. No, I'll have them packed off back to Azkaban tonight . . . though I would appreciate it if you, Harry, didn't mention this latest attack to anyone. The Prophet's already going to have a field day with the lack of trial and Pettigrew . . . and you being the one to apprehend them both."
Harry wanted to tell Fudge to shove it, but he thought about what he'd learned from Mad-Eye and knew that making enemies needlessly.
"Of course, Minister," Harry finally said with a nod. "I really don't want to talk to the press at all, but I have no problems telling you that I appreciate you righting the wrongs done by your predecessors."
Fudge smiled for a moment, and Harry knew he'd just won some points in the Minister's books, and Harry suspected that quote was going to be used in the papers.
"Thank you. As much of a problem as this is going to be, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to informing the Daily Prophet that the issue has been resolved. Good day."
With that, the Minister followed his Aurors out the door, leaving Harry with Dumbledore, Sirius, Astra who was now receiving some tears from Fawkes, and Dora.
"I believe it is time for you all to get to the hospital wing," Dumbledore said with a tight smile. "I'm sure that Poppy is awaiting your arrival, and I'm sure you have much to discuss either tonight or in the morning. I wish you all pleasant dreams."
The group started off silent as they made their journey to the hospital wing, but Harry was desperately hoping Dora and Sirius could find some ground, since he really wanted to have both of them in his life.
"It's good to see you again, Unc - Sirius," Dora said finally, and smiled softly.
Sirius smiled back. "It's good to see you too, Little Tonks," Sirius said. "Harry was telling me that he lives with you . . . and he mentioned your parents. I'm sorry to hear about their passing."
"It was hard," Dora admitted before she smiled at Harry, "but then I got this twerp back into my life, and while he's a pain in the arse, I do love him."
"You're just mad because I've arrested more dark wizards than you," Harry teased back matter of factly and Dora scowled at him.
"You can make that joke tomorrow, but tonight's too soon, love."
"Why do I feel like I'm missing something?" Sirius said with a frown.
"Because you are," Dora said flatly. "It's something we'll talk about, but not right now."
The conversation died until they made it to the hospital wing where they found that Madam Pomfrey had already treated Ron and Hermione. Hermione, having no injuries, had been sent back to Gryffindor Tower, but Ron was in a bed in the back, already asleep. Harry figured his ribs must have been damaged by Sirius's attack. Harry was treated first, though he wasn't really injured at all, and soon he could only partially protest before he was subjected to a dreamless sleep potion, since Madam Pomfrey didn't trust him to actually rest on his own. The last thing he saw was Dora sitting next to Sirius, a determined look on her face.
**HP**
Dora watched Harry finally nod off under the effects of the potion before she turned to her cousin. She didn't know what he wanted . . . she didn't know his plans, but she did know that he was perhaps the only person that had the power to completely change her life both for the better and for the worse.
"You're worried," Sirius said, breaking the silence and she gazed into his gray eyes, and nodded.
"Yes, I am," Dora admitted. "What are your intentions with Harry?"
Sirius's eyes widened slightly before he frowned. "I want to be in his life. James and Lily made me his godfather, and so far I've done a piss poor job at it, and I'd like to remedy that."
Dora felt her heart being squeezed tightly with every word Sirius said.
"However, I don't want to take him from you, if that's what you're worried about. I doubt he'd want that either," Sirius finished.
Dora breathed a little easier and nodded slowly before looking down. She didn't like being unsure, but this was unfamiliar territory.
"I also want to be in your life, if you'll have me," Sirius said softly, and Dora's head shot up and she met his gaze. "We're family after all, and your mum and dad were not only family to me, but great friends."
"I - I'd like that," Dora said with a smile and Sirius smiled back at her before his smile faded.
"Harry mentioned that you got him out of a bad situation," Sirius said slowly. "He didn't say much, but coming from the home I did, I can read between the lines. How bad did the Dursleys abuse him? It couldn't have been good if even someone of your age and station was able to get custody."
Dora grimaced, anger filling her eyes. "Those vile bastards starved him, beat him, did their best to sabotage his future, made sure he felt worthless and unloved, and lied to him about how Uncle James and Aunt Lily died, saying they died drunk in a car crash."
Sirius growled. "THEY DIDN'T!"
"They did," Dora confirmed, a scowl etched on her face. "It's been hell getting Harry to open up about everything, but I can assure you that we're lucky Harry's even alive after their treatment."
Sirius paled. "He didn't . . ." Sirius said weakly.
"He did," Dora confirmed sadly. "Despite having more than enough bedrooms, they used to make him sleep in a broom cupboard under their stairs, letting their son have two bedrooms and him none, even though they also had a guest room. He . . . he told me he drank some of the cleaning products that his aunt kept in the closet one time . . . he couldn't have been older than six . . . and the only reason he never tried again . . ."
"Was because he failed, and the beating was so bad, he was scared of failing again," Sirius finished quietly, and Dora nodded, her eyes wet.
"I went to see Harry after he hadn't responded to me in the summer after his first year, and found him locked in his room that they gave him to disguise how they treated him. They would only let him out to use the bathroom twice a day, and they were feeding him two small bowls of soup a day, which he was forced to share with his owl, Hedwig. He had been like that for weeks! The room smelled awful, since he wasn't allowed to shower or wash himself, and he couldn't clean the cage, and you know what England's like in the summer. His room was hot and he was just a ticking time bomb for getting really sick."
Sirius slumped sadly. "I failed him . . . I failed them."
"No, Dumbledore did," Dora said flatly. "I still admire the old man, but I haven't found it easy to forgive him for Harry's treatment nor for my family not being able to see Harry for ten years."
"Dumbledore went no contact?" Sirius asked, surprised, and Dora nodded.
"He wanted him to grow up away from the magical world . . . which would have made sense if the Dursleys hadn't been such terrible fucking people."
"How did you take custody of him?" Sirius asked.
Dora shrugged. "I really wanted him to live with me . . . even if I wasn't the most qualified to do so, and he, for some bloody reason, wanted to live with me, so Mad-Eye helped us out."
"Harry and Remus mentioned Mad-Eye," Sirius muttered. "What's his involvement?"
"I'm an Auror," Dora said to Sirius's surprise. "He was my mentor in my last year at Hogwarts during an internship and then through my training. I'll make First Class in July. He kind of started looking out for me after my parents died. Now, he helps me with Harry during the breaks, and they're quite fond of each other, which is odd but amusing. Truthfully, Harry's really become like Mad-Eye's apprentice, and I wouldn't be too surprised if Mad-Eye makes that official once Harry's of age and can be accepted as an apprentice."
"Wow," Sirius said, and then his gaze was drawn behind Dora, and she turned to see Astra making her way into the hospital wing, looking freshly healed, likely by Fawkes and from some method for creatures of Hades. "How did Harry get a grim?"
"That's a long story," Dora said with a sigh. "Short version is he's impressed Hades, and now has patronage from him. Astra came with that."
"He has patronage from the Lord of the Underworld . . ." Sirius said in disbelief. "At thirteen?"
Dora snorted. "That kid does nothing normal. I love him, more than anything, but he's going to give me a heart attack. Since he's started at Hogwarts, he's fought a troll, acromantulas, a death eater possessed by Voldemort, an ancient fifty foot long basilisk, some sort of dark cursed item that contained Voldemort's teenage memories which was possessing a girl and could wield a wand, and now dementors, an escaped criminal, a werewolf, and another death eater."
Sirius's jaw dropped. "Say all that again? How - how is that even possible?"
"Like I said, he's not normal," Dora said with a sigh. "I started taking him over to Mad-Eye's while I was at work so someone could watch him, but also to fulfill one of my requirements for him staying at Hogwarts. Mad-Eye's been training him . . . well as much as you can when he can't use magic."
"Mobility drills?" Sirius asked. "Flexibility, physical movement?"
"Along with critical thinking, strategy, and some history, plus Mad-Eye's been teaching him the sword," Dora confirmed. "He's almost through the Best Laid Plans course of Auror Training."
Sirius snorted. "Doing a little recruiting, eh? Why swordsmanship? Never figured you'd be into those old pureblood traditions of learning a physical weapon."
Dora grinned ruefully. "He can do what he wants, but he has expressed an interest, and frankly, he'd be an incredible Auror. I wasn't downplaying what he's faced and a lot of them came from his and his friends' investigative skills, which are frankly terrifying. They're a nosy bunch. Still, now that you're not trying to kill him, Mad-Eye can focus on other areas, though I suspect he'll keep him going on a lot of the same stuff, since he can't use magic. As for swordsmanship? Hades's patronage came with a price," Dora said grimly. "By the time Harry turns seventeen, he has to be a fully qualified Shadow Mage. He has to have the practical parts of shadow elemental magic learned by the time he turns fifteen."
Sirius glanced at her in shock.
"That's bloody insane!" Sirius said. "I was certainly impressed and stunned by his use of elemental magic, but I never would have guessed he was working towards being a Mage! Can he do that in the time allotted?"
Dora shrugged nervously.
"He recently had a meeting with Hades, and Hades said he was mostly on track, but he warned him that the last bit of magic he needs to learn is the hardest, and that if he didn't seek help and change his method, he wouldn't make it. He's been gaining favor with Athena since then, and she's been helping him. In addition, Mad-Eye's been helping him stay on track on the other stuff, but we haven't touched anything like smithing."
Dora grimaced and sighed.
"I wasn't exactly left much from my parents, and was barely scraping by during Auror Training. If Harry hadn't been left money for schooling from his parents, he and I would have been in a rough spot, which was why it was a bit selfish of me to take him. We're just now getting comfortable, and either this summer or the next, we were going to look into getting a house with grounds so that we could build what he needs."
"It sounds like there's a lot for me to learn about him," Sirius muttered before he said directly to Dora, "a lot for me to find out."
"There is," Dora agreed, "which is why I need you to be sure that you're ready to be in Harry's life before you make any promises to him."
"Of course I'm ready to be in his life," Sirius responded bewildered.
"Think carefully," Dora said, her eyes narrowed slightly. "Harry's been through a lot, and with how his life has been going, I can sadly assume that he'll continue to somehow go through far more. You're going to need to rehabilitate, and it's not wrong for you to want to find some semblance of a life after losing thirteen years. Harry though . . . Harry can't take someone abandoning him. Just in this night, I'm sure he's already built up a hope of yours and his relationship and mine and yours. I'd rather you use excuses now then break his heart later if you're not ready to commit."
"Of course I'm ready to commit," Sirius said firmly.
"Like you committed when you gave Harry over to Hagrid?" Dora said flatly, and SIrius winced.
"It's not completely your fault, and I don't really blame you for doing so," Dora said, "but Harry's my first priority. He's been let down so much, and I don't want you letting him down next."
Sirius couldn't help but smile and chuckle, shaking his head, and Dora frowned.
"You always did love him when you were a little girl," Sirius said absently. "Andy and Lily loved it, how much you attached yourself to Harry, making him your family. It's really no surprise to me that you're just as loving and overprotective . . . probably even more overprotective with what little you've said. Jamie and Lils were my family, just as Andy and Ted were . . . and I need to be in yours and Harry's life. You're right, that I have a long road ahead of me, but I need you and Harry in it to succeed. I'm going to need what little family I have left. Remus and I will have a lot to work on . . . but before I can worry about him, I will worry about Harry and you. That's a promise. You and he are my priority."
Dora stared at him in surprise before she practically beamed, her smile so wide, and she moved forward and Sirius braced himself as his not so little cousin basically hugged him with everything she had, and he hugged her back.
"Thanks, Uncle Siri," Dora finally said, and Sirius grinned fondly.
"You're welcome little Nymph."
Sirius thought quickly about his changing status, both as a freeman, and now as someone who had a godson and a cousin to look out for . . . even if his cousin was a young woman and clearly capable of looking out for herself.
"Can I - can I offer a possible suggestion?"
Dora was surprised to hear the hesitancy in his voice, and she nodded.
"The Blacks . . . the Blacks are insanely rich, and a lot of it ill gotten," Sirius said. "I - I'm serious in that I want to be really involved in yours and Harry's lives."
Dora tilted her head curiously. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?
"A portion of my wealth certainly belongs to you, and while I'm sure you are like your mum, and don't care too much, since if she cared, she wouldn't have married your father . . . I still think you can acknowledge that money makes things easier."
Dora nodded slowly.
"Would - would you be interested in letting me buy a home with land, and you and Harry moving in with me? I can build him the facilities he needs to help him to become a mage," Sirius said quickly. "We can all get to know each other, and it certainly doesn't need to be permanent, but you could save up while you live with me, while Harry's in school, and we could hire him some tutors for some of the things he needs to learn. Also, I was an Auror before I went to Azkaban, and I'd like to be one again, so I could rehabilitate, and maybe with yours and Mad-Eye's help, if he's willing, get back onto the Force."
Dora stared at him in surprise.
"Obviously, you're young and might want to get your own place again, down the road, but we can broach that when we get there, and savings will certainly help you, and then we can maybe talk about partial custody or something so that we both can have him stay at our places no issues."
Dora blinked, still surprised at what he was offering her.
"Well? What do you say?" Sirius said nervously.
"I - I think that sounds brilliant," Dora admitted. "We'd need to talk to Harry, but I'm sure he would love that."
Sirius smiled widely. "Really?"
"Really," Dora confirmed with a broad smile.
"Great!" Sirius exclaimed, looking more like the man she remembered from all those years ago.
Dora glanced over at Harry's still form. She hoped he liked what they were proposing.
**HP**
Harry looked around, finding himself standing in some sort of an open palace. He glanced around quickly and then noticed the blonde woman, wearing armor and a helm, holding a shield and lance, and radiating power, sitting in a throne. Thankfully, this wasn't his first rodeo and he had learned quite a bit since the first time this happened because he suspected this goddess was less forgiving and understanding of lack of knowledge.
"Lady Athena," Harry said and bowed low before rising up and seeing a faint smile on her lips.
"Welcome to my halls, Harry Potter," the goddess said. "My uncle values you greatly, and one of my vassals thinks quite highly of you. Admittedly, I too feel that you have potential, but tell me, hero, why should I bless you with matronage?"
Harry's eyes widened slightly, and inside he was thinking about Dora always complaining about him never doing anything normal. This was certainly an example of that. He'd just started praying to Athena a few months ago. He certainly hadn't requested anything major, let alone matronage. This must be Hades's doing . . . though while he appreciated it, a little heads up would have been nice.
Athena laughed lightly.
"You are partially correct, young one," and Harry winced realizing she'd read his thoughts. "My uncle has approached me about you, but this meeting isn't only about him. It's also about you in particular. What am I the goddess of?"
"Wisdom, strategic warfare, crafts, and you're one of the deities that is considered to be the protector of heroes," Harry said slowly. "You also are one of the deities most associated with the Mind Arts."
"Indeed," Athena said approvingly. "I value those who seek knowledge and analyze problems. I admire and favor weavers, tailors, and other such artists, and in particular I have protected heroes in some of their darkest hours throughout history. Though you would disagree, you certainly fit the image of a hero, which only makes the image fit more. As one who seeks and will become a mage, your dedication to learning archaic magic is commendable, and as a mage of the darkness, weaving will be very important for you to craft your most powerful cloaks of darkness, but tell me Harry Potter, where do you fall short in my expectations?"
Harry grimaced slightly, thinking of what he'd learned from Mad-Eye and Dora. "I'm still far too reckless at times," Harry answered. "I don't value my own health enough, nor do I trust most adults enough to seek the aid I need so that those more qualified or suited to solving an issue might do so without putting myself at risk."
Athena's eyes brightened, and Harry knew he'd said what she was looking for.
"You have been learning from Alastor quite well," Athena complimented. "You've become quite self-aware, which is the first step to fixing your flaws. You are improving, and admittedly, age is a factor with your recklessness, at least in my experience with watching mortals for eons, but you must curb your tendencies, lest they lead you to ruin and others to death."
Harry nodded solemnly.
"Tell me, Harry Potter," Athena said. "What would you give for matronage to me? What would you hope to gain?"
Harry stared at the goddess, choosing his words with care. "I would give almost anything, as long as it does not harm my friends and family, and does not go against my patron. As for what I hope to gain? I wish for some of your wisdom and intelligence which will help me understand the deeper and more complex theories of various advanced magics and disciplines when my efforts are not quick enough to yield results, and I would wish for your guidance in my darkest moments when I'm struggling against my nature to act rather than plan accordingly."
Athena smiled approvingly. "Those are the words of someone that I could accept as my vassal. Cheap tricks and dumb luck are no substitute for hard work, dedication, and knowledge. I do not reward those who look for the easy or the hard path, but rather the right path, no matter how much easier or difficult it might be. I've watched you Harry Potter, as have many of my fellow gods and goddesses. You intrigue us. You're young and inexperienced, but you have qualities we admire. You have the potential to be great, and despite your history you are hard working and pure of heart."
"You are too kind, my lady," Harry said, his cheeks red, as he bowed his head, wondering why deities would find him of all people that interesting.
Athena laughed lightly. "Perhaps . . . but perhaps not. I will grant you major matronage, boosting your natural intelligence, and helping to guide you to greater understanding in your pursuits, and in times of need, I may be able to provide my wisdom. I will also add my magic into your Ring of Darkness, adding my own symbol and allowing it to enhance your abilities with the Mind Arts, a discipline of magic I expect you to master one day. In return, you will continue to devote your efforts to becoming a mage, but I also expect you to never stop learning. Once you've mastered your darkness magic, I expect you to pick another discipline to pursue, whether that be another element or something else, even if it be some trade, skill, or hobby outside of magic. Beyond that, I will expect you to continue to use logic and show your determination to do the right thing. Should you falter and go down a dark path, I will crush you myself. Do we have an accord?"
Harry thought for a moment. Everything she was offering was exactly what he wanted, and more. The enhancement to his ring would be a great boon for his Sensing abilities, and later when he eventually got to learning Occlumency or Legilimency. He knew he'd be expected to do well in his studies, but he'd wanted to do that anyway, so that he wasn't disappointing Dora, Mad-Eye . . . . and, well now Sirius as well.
Harry nodded. "We have an accord, my lady."
Athena leaned back, nodding in approval before her gray eyes glowed.
"Goodbye hero. Until we meet again."
**HP**
The four Aurors escorted Peter Pettigrew to the Ministry holding cells, where he would await an escort to Azkaban for his pretrial confinement.
Pettigrew hadn't said a word since leaving Hogwarts. He'd just whined, shivered, and cried the whole way, and it wasn't hard for the four Aurors to see that when his trial came, Pettigrew would talk, and he would say everything he knew.
While that was a good thing to two of the Aurors, who hoped to capture some of the Death Eaters who escaped justice . . . it wasn't the same for the other two.
"I'm going to be praying to the gods that they give you the Kiss, traitor," Auror Fernen O'Malley said with relish, and Pettigrew whimpered.
"Maybe you'll give us some new names to give you a cellmate in Azkaban or St. Mungos, depending on life in prison or the Kiss," Auror Leo Vincent added with a smirk.
The four aurors and the prisoner reached the holding cells, which had nobody at the moment, meaning that two of them would have to act as guards for Pettigrew, and they'd have to set up a rotation until Pettigrew could be moved to Azkaban.
Auror's Jackson Carlson and Clayton Norton, bringing up the rear, both glanced at each other before they pointed their wands at O'Malley and Vincent.
"Confundus! Stupefy!" they both hissed, and the two lead Aurors collapsed to the ground, and Pettigrew whimpered pathetically, eyeing the two other Aurors with apprehension.
"Crucio!" Carlson said, and Pettigrew screamed in pain, and his body twitched as Carlson held him under the Unforgivable.
Finally, he released him, and Pettigrew whimpered, breathing hard, his body still twitching on the ground as he stared up at his two captors in fear.
"Alright, Pettigrew," Carlson sneered. "This is your lucky day."
"I-it is?" Pettigrew said.
"Indeed," Norton said coldly. "You're going to get out of here, and we're going to frame it so that everyone believes these two fucked up. Good for us, bad for them, and there won't be any way for the blame to fall on us . . . but you will not be caught or you won't be broken out again."
"The dark lord isn't around to save you, but right now, your death would draw bad attention," Carlson said quietly. "However, if you're captured again . . . you will not survive. Am I understood?"
"Y-yes," Pettigrew stuttered.
"Good," Carlson said before pointing his wand at Pettigrew again. "Crucio!"
Pettigrew screamed again, his body convulsing before Carlson stopped.
Pettigrew was crying on the ground as Norton walked up and kicked the man in his stomach multiple times, getting cries of pain every time.
"Get the fuck out of here, Pettigrew," Norton said with a huff, glaring at the crying man. "Scurry away with the other rats."
Pettigrew finally nodded and then turned into his animagus form before he ran off quickly.
"Alright, let's make these two idiots believe Pettigrew got them wandlessly before he transformed," Carlson said, and Norton nodded in agreement, both of them knowing they'd enjoy scuffing up their fellow Aurors to make it seem realistic and then planting memories to frame both men.
This would ensure they had two less rivals for the next time a lieutenant's spot opened up. All in a day's work.