"Brumous"

"Chapter Sixty-Five: Little Hangleton"

Ginny woke up warm and content. Turning her head, her face buried into the soft fabric of Harry's t-shirt. She allowed his woodsy smell tinged with a bit of sweetness to slip her into pure bliss. Ginny never felt calmer than when she was in Harry's arms. He didn't even have to say or do anything. His mere presence allowed the anxieties of the war raging around them to disappear. When it was just the two of them, it was easy to forget everything else. Ginny never wanted the rare moments alone with him to end.

A kiss pressed onto Ginny's temple before Harry slowly slid out from under her. She shifted to help free him. Propping himself up on his elbow, he grinned down at her. He looked different without his glasses on. Not only did he look younger, but he also squinted at her because he was blind as a bloody bat. That just made him look downright adorable. Without glasses on, Ginny could see very faint freckles peppered across his cheeks, perhaps five or six across each one.

"I have to use the loo," Harry announced. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," Ginny replied. "I was already up."

Harry leaned down, pecking her on the lips. "Do you want to grab an early breakfast?"

Ginny pouted. "It's like you don't even know me. Asking me if I want breakfast? When have I ever turned down food before?"

Harry chuckled. "Forgive me. I'm still waking up."

"Likely excuse," Ginny teased, reaching up and tapping him gently on the cheek. "You're lucky you're so damn adorable."

Harry offered her a lopsided smile. "I'll be back."

Ginny watched as he snagged his glasses from his bedside table before disappearing through the curtains around his bed. Rolling onto her side, Ginny grabbed Harry's pillow and cuddled it close to her chest. She should grab her things and sneak out of the dorm to get ready for the day, but she was content and warm in Harry's bed. While Ginny wasn't quite sure who had bought Harry his pillows and bedsheets, she silently thanked them. They were loads better than the standard ones the school supplied. Her mother only sent them to school with a homemade quilt that smelled like home.

"Hey, Cepheus," Harry's voice sounded from beyond the curtain. "Why didn't you come home over the weekend?"

"Busy," Cepheus replied. "I'm glad to see you up and around. I, err, I'm sorry, Harry. I should have been more careful."

"I don't blame you for what happened, Cepheus," Harry insisted in a sincere tone. "I'm just glad you're all right. If anything, I feel like I should be apologizing to you."

Ginny rolled her eyes. Only Harry would apologize in a situation like this.

Cepheus chuckled. "You get poisoned and you're apologizing to me?"

"It's not easy being my friend," Harry reasoned like a damn noble git. "It's even harder being my family. They targeted you because of your connection to me."

"Or maybe they targeted me because of who my grandfather is," Cepheus challenged, sounding exhausted. "I'm so… over all of this. I bloody well hate it here, Harry."

"Look, I know how it feels to lose your parents," Harry started in a soft voice. "It feels beyond lonely."

"Yeah, but at least you have Sirius," Cepheus retorted in a slightly bitter tone.

Ginny frowned, sitting up slowly in bed. It was the first time Cepheus had ever referred to him as Sirius and not Uncle Sirius. Footsteps sounded. A second pair joined. Ginny had the urge to peek through the curtains but remained rooted in her spot on the bed.

"He's standoffish with everyone," Harry argued, quick to defend Sirius as always.

"He's not standoffish with you, Harry," Cepheus replied with a sigh. "It doesn't matter anyway. I'll be out of his hair in about six months."

More footfalls sounded. Their voices became muffled and Ginny could only assume that they had disappeared into the loo off their dorm. Ginny had no idea what to do. Did she wait for Harry? Did she sneak out before anyone saw her? Her decision was made for her when the curtains around Harry's bed opened and Niamh stood in front of her. She clearly wore one of Cepheus' shirts that read 'You make my heart scream' with a Mandrake printed underneath and a pair of bright teal leggings. She climbed onto Harry's bed and closed the curtains behind her.

"Merlin! They need to talk," Niamh whispered, her eyes widening. "Do you think Harry can talk to him? I mean, you know, he fumbles sometimes when he's uncomfortable and he's uncomfortable a lot, but Cepheus really needs him to assure him right now."

Ginny sucked in a breath, her eyes searching Niamh's face. "Since when do you and Cepheus share a bed?"

Niamh wrung her hands in her lap. "Oh, well, since… well, I mean, it was… Cepheus said… I mean, you do it all the time and, and he's really nice and considerate and, and a gentleman."

"Niamh, I'm not your mother who is going to scold you," Ginny replied, her eyes rolling. "Be a bit hypocritical of me, wouldn't it?"

Niamh let out a small huff. "Since Harry was poisoned," she admitted. "He's been so upset about what happened to Harry and how his uncle was sort of… dismissive of him."

Oh, that made sense because it was the first night she had spent with Harry since he had been poisoned. She supposed she didn't even realize Niamh wasn't spending the night in their dorm.

"You're not upset with me, are you?" Niamh pressed.

Ginny's face scrunched up. "Why in the world would I be upset with you?"

"I didn't want you to think I was copying you or anything, which I suppose I am because I probably wouldn't have had the guts to sleep in a boy's bed if you didn't start it," Niamh rambled, her eyes growing wide. "Merlin, you don't think people would call us slags, do you? Cepheus and I haven't… you know."

Ginny chuckled, a sardonic smile crossing her face. "Trust me, if there's going to be a slag rumor spread across the school about one of us, it would be about me."

Niamh's eyes grew wide. "I didn't–"

Ginny waved her off. "I know what you meant," she assured her, because Niamh could be a little bundle of anxiety over the silliest things. "Harry and I haven't either. We've gone half way around the pitch, but that's about all."

Niamh's brows tugged down. "Ginny, you know I don't understand sports references."

"Snogging and touching over the clothes," Ginny clarified.

Niamh nodded. "Just snogging."

The curtains to the bed opened and Harry stood frozen at the sight of two girls in his bed. He looked like he had been smacked in the face with a Bludger as he looked between Niamh and Ginny. Rolling her eyes, Ginny grabbed his wrist and tugged him onto the bed. His shoulder brushed against Niamh's as he tumbled onto the bed and he quickly apologized as he shifted until he was next to Ginny. Niamh turned around and gripped the curtains.

"Cepheus!" Niamh called in a hushed voice.

A moment later, Cepheus peered around the curtain and his eyes jumped around to soak in who was on the bed.

"I didn't know they were both here!" Harry said quickly, his hands shooting up. "I didn't know Niamh was… look, I love Ginny."

Ginny laughed. She couldn't bloody well help it. She grabbed Harry's hand in hers before dragging it to rest on her lap.

"Come on," Niamh insisted, pulling Cepheus onto the bed before shutting the curtains. "Now, you two should really talk."

"Err… we just did?" Harry replied, his face wincing.

"Yeah, we're good," Cepheus assured them. "I'm not upset with Harry and he's not upset with me and… yeah."

Niamh looked between them. "There's no way you worked that out so quickly."

Ginny cocked her head to the side. "Nah, they're boys. They probably grunted a bit, avoided saying anything meaningful, and decided to move forward without discussing their feelings about anything."

Niamh wrinkled his nose. "That's so sad."

"We didn't grunt," Harry interjected.

The curtains opened once more to reveal Ron. He looked slightly taken aback by the sheer number of people on Harry's bed yet also slightly offended at the same time. He climbed onto the bed on the other side of Harry before he closed the curtain behind him.

"So glad I was invited," Ron bit out, shooting Harry a glare.

Harry's eyebrows raised above his glasses. "Look, I only invited Ginny."

Ron wrinkled his nose. "Can you not?" he whined, waving his hand in their direction. "Stop touching in bed!"

Ginny leaned forward and shot him a look. "You're just bloody jealous you can't get a girl in your bed."

Ron ruffled. "I most certainly can!" he retorted, his voice raising into a squeak. "Harry, tell her!"

Harry sucked in a breath, his eyes screwing shut. "You know the worst thing about dating my best mate's sister is how you two always put me in the bloody middle."

"Yeah, Ron," Ginny pecked because she bloody well couldn't help herself. "I would never even dream of putting Harry in the awkward position to side with one of us."

Harry shot her an incredulous look. Ginny only shot him her best innocent smile.

"I don't know how you don't fly Harry up a bloody wall!" Ron protested with crazed eyes.

Ginny flipped her hair behind her shoulder. "You're just jealous that Harry likes me more."

Harry groaned, turning his attention to Cepheus and Niamh. "Please, let me be your third wheel to get away from these two."

"Yeah, mate, let's go to breakfast," Cepheus agreed.

Ron scoffed. "You can't just go to breakfast without me!" he protested.

Ginny wrinkled her nose. "That is the cruelest thing you could do to a Weasley. You can't just leave a Weasley to eat without inviting said Weasley."

Ron nodded, holding up his hand in front of Harry. Ginny gave him a high five. Harry only dropped his head back, his eyes focused on the canopy above them. Ginny's lips twitched, her hand pressing against Harry's knee.

"We'll see you boys downstairs in ten, all right?" Ginny instructed. "Don't be late. Come on, Niamh."

Niamh pressed a kiss onto Cepheus' cheek before she scrambled off the bed. Ginny ruffled Harry's already messy locks with a wink before she followed Niamh, leaving the three boys alone on Harry's bed. She linked arms with Niamh as they quietly darted out of the boy's dormitory.

"We need to get Ron a girlfriend," Niamh whispered as they rushed down the stairs. "He must be lonely."

"Yeah, setting my brother up isn't at the top of my to-do list," Ginny admitted.

Niamh bit her bottom lip. "You know, he gets on well with Demelza," she pressed. "Demelza likes him. She has for ages."

Ginny wrinkled her nose. She knew it was hypocritical that she was dating her brother's best mate but hated the idea of her brother dating her best mate. But it was different as she actually liked Harry and wanted to build a life with him. Look what happened when Niamh and Ron dated. It could have ruined her relationship with her friend if Ron had been angry over the breakup. Despite how much Ginny loved to give Ron a hard time, she would always side with her brother one hundred percent. If something happened that forced her to choose between her brother and her best friend? Well, Ginny didn't even want to think about that.

Sirius' breath hitched, his entire body tingling and coming down from the release of pure ecstasy. He pressed his back into the mattress, his head lolling to the right to see Marlene naked and breathing heavily next to him. She rolled over next to him, her arm resting on his stomach as her fingers traced along his skin. Even though Sirius knew they were playing a dangerous game, a game that involved feelings, he couldn't damn well help himself. He wasn't some horny teenager who wouldn't be able to control himself if they had to split up. After all he had spent twelve years in Azkaban without so much as thinking about sex. He could do it again… he thought.

Sirius raked a hand through his too long hair, slicking it back on his head before he wiggled his arm underneath Marlene's body. He drew her closer, pressing his lips against her forehead. A contented sigh escaped her lips. Sirius drew lazy circles on her arm with this finger. Her warm body and sweet breath made him never want to let her go. He had gone so long without any physical touch of any kind. Even after prison, he had denied himself that contact with others for reasons he couldn't even explain now that he was in a better mindset. But now that he had that contact back? Sirius never wanted to lose it again.

Maybe they didn't have to part ways if it all went to hell. Certainly, it would be beneficial for Harry to have both of his godparents with him while he hunted down Horcruxes and figured out how to kill a sociopath. Right? The little annoying voice in the back of his head told him he was mad to even consider it. Sirius knew he couldn't split his focus between his godson and the love of his life. Harry needed everything Sirius had if the kid was going to survive the war. Afterall, he and Marlene had both agreed before the kid could even talk that Harry came first. Bringing Marlene along would only result in disaster and probably reduce them to intense rows.

"You have on your thinking face right now," Marlene mused, propping herself up on her elbow and causing the blanket to expose her breast.

Sirius tore his gaze away from her body and he searched her face. "I didn't know I had a thinking face."

Marlene ran her pointer finger down his nose. "You've had the same thinking face since you were eleven," she explained, the back of her hand brushing against the stubble that graced his cheeks. "I feel like I see your thinking face a lot more lately."

Sirius shrugged. "It's how I pass the time nowadays. In case you haven't noticed, I've become quite the homebody. Having people sneer at me or call me a murderer surprisingly makes one hate being around people."

Marlene laughed, a wide smiling gracing her face. "You never liked people to begin with."

"Fair," Sirius agreed, his fingers wrapping around her wrist and tugging her hand away from his face. "I tolerate them a lot less now though," he elaborated as he moved his hand to hold hers.

"What are you thinking about?" Marlene pressed, wiggling herself closer to him as their clasped hands rested against his chest.

Sirius wasn't one to talk about feelings. Especially complex romantic ones that were threatened by war and death. Nor did he particularly like to talk about his fears and anxieties that seemed to have increased tenfold since Azkaban. Sirius hadn't been a chronic overthinker in his youth. He had been more reckless and jumped in head first without thinking. Having been betrayed by a friend and wrongfully imprisoned for a third of his life, all Sirius did was think nowadays. He had become quite good at analyzing a situation to death, having learned the skill when he was bored and crazed in his cell.

"I was thinking about how much longer it would take me to get it up again for round two," Sirius settled on keeping the mood light, his eyebrows wiggling.

Marlene laughed. "You're so full of shit!" she exclaimed, a soft smile dancing on her face. "You know, you could just tell me you don't want to talk about it. I would hope you know me well enough by this point to know I'm not going to pressure you into telling me anything," she finished in a sober tone, the corners of her mouth twitching down.

A lump twisted in Sirius' throat. "Nah, I know. You were always good about that."

The moment between them ceased when a familiar vibrating noise sounded from the bedside table. Sirius bolted up in bed as he reached for his mirror. Harry's face shined in the glass. Marlene scooted away, grabbing a fistful of blankets to cover herself completely and disappear from the frame.

"Harry Potter," Sirius answered.

"Hey, Sirius," Harry greeted, lounging against his headboard.

"Are you all right?" Sirius demanded, running his fingers through his hair once more to try to flatten it.

Harry nodded, his nose wrinkling. "I'm fine. Did I interrupt something? I can call back later."

"You didn't interrupt anything," Sirius replied, his hand waving absentmindedly.

"Err… I know that's not your bed," Harry commented. "You know what, I'll call back later."

"Hang up on me and I will hunt you down to talk to you in person," Sirius threatened. "What's wrong?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Nothing is wrong. It's… I just wanted some advice."

The tension eased from Sirius' shoulders. "Advice about what?"

"Well, since you rescinded my privilege to Hogsmeade and derailed my Valentine's Day plans with Ginny, I was wondering if you had any idea of what I could do in the safety of the castle to surprise her?" Harry asked, looking like he was trying his damned hardest not to appear annoyed.

Sirius raised his eyebrows. "You're asking me for dating advice?" he asked, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "The bloke who spent twelve years in prison and has only dated like two girls in his thirty-seven years of existence?"

Marlene eased off the bed and scoured the floor for her clothes. Sirius paid her no attention as he watched his godson groan loudly.

"Never mind," Harry grumbled. "I just thought your advice couldn't be worse than Ron's."

Sirius settled back against the headboard, a grin spreading across his face. "What was Ron's suggestion?"

Harry's face pulled. "Take her to the kitchens and have the house-elves make us a feast."

Sirius pursed his lips to the side, his head nodding. "You have the tickle the–"

"I know," Harry insisted with a heavy sigh. "I don't like that idea though."

"What if you went for a fly around the lake?" Sirius suggested. "You both enjoy flying."

"Because we do that all the time anyway?" Harry replied. "That's nothing special. It's Valentine's Day. Girls expect… stuff. Don't they?"

Marlene, wearing Sirius' black t-shirt, settled on in the bed next to him. She snatched the mirror from Sirius' hand, her shoulder pressing against his.

"Hello, love," Marlene greeted warmly.

Harry winced. "Hi, Marlene," he greeted in a hesitant tone, his neck flushing. "I didn't mean to interrupt anything."

"You didn't," Marlene waved him off with a bright smile. "So, romance within the walls of Hogwarts can easily be achieved for Valentine's Day. We have some time to plan it all out. Now, Ron's idea of a meal isn't bad. I wouldn't have a feast in the kitchens but I can give you a picnic basket if you stop by tomorrow after class and we can go over a nice menu you can order from the elves."

"Thanks, Marly," Harry replied, the redness receding.

"Now, if you want to be really romantic, go to the Astronomy Tower at night and stargaze," Marlene continued with a fond smile.

Sirius turned to look at her, his eyebrows raising. Well, there went his fucking Valentine's Day plans right out the window. He thought it'd be a tad bit embarrassing to double date with his godson.

"You can tell her the stories of the constellations and stars," Marlene continued. "I used to love when your godfather told me all the stories behind the names and myths associated with them. We used to lay on a nice big blanket, which I have one of those too to give you if you want, and we would cuddle and talk and he'd point out stars. How's your Astronomy?"

Sirius sucked in a breath and held it as he turned back to his godson, remembering Harry's less than stellar Astronomy O.W.L. exam.

"Err, abysmal actually," Harry admitted.

Marlene didn't seem bothered by the revelation. "All right, it's still a romantic setting. Grab some snacks or dessert or whatever you want and sit under the stars. You don't have to point any out."

Harry blinked at her, his tongue peeking out to lick his bottom lip. "You do know you're encouraging me to be out past curfew, right?"

Marlene stilled at the words. "Well, lucky for you, I'm talking to you as your godmother and not your professor. So, Marly says have fun. Professor McKinnon says follow the rules."

"Your godfather says to stay out of trouble for one bloody week," Sirius added, shifting closer to Marlene so Harry could see him.

Harry chuckled, a shit-eating grin crossing his features. "I think I'll listen to my godmother this time."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "You know I'll be watching you on the map, don't you?"

Harry's grin fell. "Can't I just call you on the mirror or something when I'm back in the tower instead?"

"No," Sirius replied without even stopping to consider it.

Marlene placed a hand on Sirius' arm. "I will help Sirius reel in his broomstick parent tendencies."

"Like hell you will," Sirius snapped.

"Take the Invisibility Cloak, all right?" Marlene ignored Sirius. "I want you back in your dorm by eleven. Sirius and I will be watching. If you're not back by eleven, then your Valentine's Day will end with a very embarrassing interruption from your godparents."

Sirius' jaw jutted to the side. "Be back by curfew. Nine is late enough to stay out."

"Sirius, Harry knows all about you romping around at night when you were his age," Marlene argued. "It's a little do as I say but not as I do, yeah?"

A low growl sounded in the back of his throat. Merlin, he knew he sounded like fucking Orion Black of all people to be demanding something from a child that he himself never did. Sirius was only doing it to look out for the kid and not as some bloody power play like Orion. The difference was important to Sirius.

"Yeah, well, I know I was a moron at sixteen," Sirius replied, his irritation mounting. "I didn't have a psychopath after me either."

Harry hit his head against his headboard, his eyes glancing up at the ceiling.

"We would be the first to know if the castle is under attack and we'll know exactly where he is," Marlene replied. "He'll be with Ginny. You will both have your mirrors on you, all right?"

"Will do," Harry replied.

Marlene turned to look at Sirius. "Yours and Ginny's mirrors are connected, right?"

"Can we talk about this in private?" Sirius seethed, his teeth gritting.

Marlene shot him a glare before she turned back to the mirror. "I'll see you tomorrow, love, all right? Good night."

"Night, Marly. Night, Sirius," Harry replied back.

Sirius only sucked in a breath, snagging the mirror from Marlene's hand and disconnecting the call. He tossed the mirror on the bedside table before rolling out of bed. He snatched his boxer briefs off the floor and shoved his legs in.

"While a major part of our job is to protect our godson, another important part of our job is to ensure he has the opportunity to be a kid and have some fun," Marlene argued, his chin tilting back to look up at him.

"He was just fucking poisoned, Marlene!" Sirius shouted, his arms darting out to either side of him. "You're too fucking focused on getting him to like you that you're forgetting he's your godson and not your bloody friend!"

Marlene's face fell, her chest heaving. "That is not fair!"

"Never once have I tried to play the fun fucking godfather with him," Sirius continued, his hands pressing on his hips. "And he likes me just fine!"

Marlene raised up on her knees, her arms crossing her chest. "You hover, Sirius! You have him on such a short leash that he's going to stop telling you things in fear that you will lose your bloody mind!"

Sirius sneered. "I'm not here to be his best friend or to make him happy all the damn time. I'm here to make sure that kid lives long enough that he gets to have the life that he wants to. He can have all the bloody fun he wants when the war is over. Right now? Right now, he needs to listen and not be encouraged to break the fucking rules, because he does that well enough already by himself without any help."

Marlene dropped her bum on her feet. "He's a good kid, Sirius. He's a really good kid. It's harmless fun inside the castle. It just happens to be a little past curfew so they can ensure they get some alone time together. Nobody would even suspect they would be there to harm them," she explained, wiping her palms on her bare thighs. "I didn't tell him about it to get him to like me. Truth be told, I didn't even think of the curfew issue. All I thought about was all the times we snuck up there and how special those memories with you are to me. As someone who had those memories stolen for so long, I can't help but savor them now."

Sirius felt his anger diminish a tad. He still hated the idea and didn't want Harry to even consider it.

"Peter was in Gryffindor," Marlene whispered.

Sirius winced at the mention of that bloody traitor.

"You think he's safe in Gryffindor Tower, but you don't know who Voldemort has turned," Marlene pointed out. "There could be a host of kids that Voldemort could have targeted in order to have access to Harry in his bed while he sleeps."

Sirius let out a huff of air. "Merlin fucking hell, Marlene! Are you trying to induce a bloody heart attack?"

Marlene reached out a hand for him. "It's better we know where he is than him going off on his own, yeah?"

Sirius took a step forward so he could grasp her hand. "I've seen him beaten down and bruised too many times, Marly," he croaked, easing down on the bed in front of her. "The poisoning? That was nothing. You didn't see him after Voldemort returned. You didn't hear him tell that story in such a despondent tone and, and feel completely helpless. I didn't know how to be there for him. I didn't know what to do to make it better. I saw him slipping and I let it happen. He stopped talking to me. He stopped telling me things. Then, the possessions happened. It was a massive turning point in our relationship. He started talking to me again and I felt useful and felt like I had something to give him. Ever since that first possession, it just feels like things keep getting worse and worse with him. That kid can't catch a bloody break."

Marlene squeezed his hand. "That's why letting him be a normal teenager out after curfew for something fun is helpful for him. We don't have to check the map the entire night, but you did duplicate it for a reason. We can place detection charms on the tower that night too. We'll know the moment someone steps through the barrier."

His remaining anxiety unraveled. Oh, yeah, he was going to place the detection charms his bloody self.

"We don't even have to tell him," Marlene reasoned.

Sirius cleared his throat. "You know, I was planning on taking you up there on Valentine's Day."

Marlene's lips curved. "Well, I did tell our godson to be back by eleven. Then, it's free."

Sirius searched her face. "Ten."

Marlene laughed. "Ten thirty."

Sirius shook his head, his eyes squinting. "Ten. That's my final offer."

"Ten," Marlene agreed. "Merlin, I forgot you don't negotiate."

"I did negotiate," Sirius argued. "I wanted him in the bloody tower by curfew."

Marlene laughed as she scooted closer to him. Her hand gripped his chin, squeezing his cheeks together in order to force him into a making a fishy face. He shot her a look.

"This is why I love you," Marlene whispered, her fingers easing on his face. "If you love someone, you bloody well love them."

Sirius wrapped his fingers around her wrist and tugged her hand down to rest in his lap. With his free hand, he cupped her face and rubbed his thumb along her cheekbone. Leaning in, Sirius captured her lips against his. Marlene was a good balance to his overprotectiveness. She was right. They could provide Harry a night of innocent teenage fun while putting up appropriate safeguards without his knowledge. He needed someone like Marlene in his life. Someone carefree and happy and calm. Honestly, Sirius didn't know how he survived all these years without her by his side.

Harry walked along the cracked pavement of Little Hangleton with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his leather jacket. He kept his head bowed, his gaze focusing on his trainers. There was something about being back in Little Hangleton that made Harry's stomach churn with anxiety. He was well aware that it was silly. Voldemort and his Death Eaters hadn't been detected in the small town. They would know given the fact that Remus had been staking out the town for nearly two weeks.

Glancing up, Harry realized that he had fallen behind Dumbledore and Remus. Although, he had not fallen behind Sirius. His godfather matched his stride next to him, his head held high and his features hardened. For once, Harry was grateful that his godfather had stayed annoyingly close to him, hovering like the broomstick parent that Harry had grown accustomed to. Harry hadn't thought being back in Little Hangleton would affect him as badly as it was.

Harry's stomach clenched as they walked past the graveyard. As though sensing Harry's discomfort, Sirius took a step closer to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Sirius looked over Harry's head at the graveyard but said nothing. Harry could only think of Cedric. It was hard to ignore the flash of Cedric's body falling to the ground every time Harry blinked. The image burned onto the backs of his eyelids. Harry tried to focus his attention in front of him and keep his eye wide open.

Their group stopped outside of a dilapidated house; one Harry recognized from the Pensieve memories that Dumbledore had shown him. Harry squinted at the house as he heard a soft noise emitting from the home. Taking a step out of Sirius' arms, Harry strained his ears to figure out what the noise was.

"Protect. Protect. Protect," multiple voices hissed over each other.

Harry pushed up his glasses with his fingers as his eyes roamed around the building. There were no signs of any snakes on the outside. Even craning his head to look through the broken and dirty glass pane, he saw nothing. Oddly enough, there was just blackness beyond the glass.

"Harry, are you all right?" Remus asked, pressing a hand onto Harry's shoulder as he stepped up to his left.

"Can't you hear that?" Harry pressed, his body turning around to see Sirius and Dumbledore standing shoulder to shoulder.

Sirius stared at the house in front of him, a stoic expression set hard on his face. Harry doubted his godfather had even heard him. Anything Gaunt related seemed to send him reeling in a way Harry didn't fully understand.

"I believe you are hearing the snakes," Dumbledore supplied. "Are they saying anything interesting?"

Harry swallowed, his gaze snapping to Dumbledore. "They're all talking over each other, but they're all saying the same thing: protect."

"Can you tell how many?" Dumbledore inquired, his bushy eyebrows raising above his moon-shaped glasses.

Harry shook his head. "No, but it sounds like dozens."

Dumbledore turned to Sirius. "What are your thoughts, Sirius?"

Sirius' jaw feathered, his gaze finally tearing away from the house. "I don't have any thoughts," he said in a short tone. "I've never been here nor do I sense anything."

Dumbledore nodded, making his way up the splintered and creaky steps to the front porch. Everyone followed him. Sirius stood close to Harry, their shoulders pressing together as Dumbledore ran a hand down the front door. There was no doorknob, like most magical homes.

"There needs to be an offering," Dumbledore mused out loud. "Sirius, I believe yours would be the most welcoming."

Harry furrowed his brow, wondering what Dumbledore was talking about. Even though he was confused, Sirius was not. He stepped forward, pulling his wand from his jacket pocket. Without a moment of hesitation, Sirius sliced his palm wide open. Harry's nose wrinkled, watching his godfather's hand turned red as drops of blood seeped between his fingers and dripped on the rotten wood beneath their feet.

"You are far more versed in the workings of blood magic," Dumbledore explained. "I would assume Tom would use something that an ancient house would."

Sirius stepped forward, his palm smearing runes on the wooden door. Harry really wished he had even a speck of knowledge about runes, because he hadn't the foggiest idea what his godfather wrote. When he was finished, he took a step back and dangled his bloody hand at his side. The hissing ceased their mantra in favor of a new one. The heir, the heir, the heir chanted in Harry's head and he wired his lips shut. He refused to even acknowledge what he heard in fear of it causing Sirius to reel. The wood swirled and formed a doorknob. Squinting at it, Harry realized it had formed into a snake eating its own tail.

"May I inquire, Sirius?" Dumbledore asked, appraising the runes.

"Bound by blood and honor," Sirius said in a gruff voice. "It's the Gaunt family motto. Phineas Nigellus' portrait loved to ramble on about it, given his mother was a Gaunt," he explained as he sealed the wound on his hand but didn't bother to clean the blood off. "Like every other pompous pureblood house, they feel the need to put their silly little saying on everything."

Sirius wrapped his fingers around the snake doorknob, a sneer working its way on his face. He turned the knob and pushed it open. Harry peered around his godfather to see a nothing besides a musty old house with dirty and broken furniture. The hissing went quiet and Harry watched as Fluffernoodle peeked his green little head out around collar of Sirius' jacket.

Sirius took a step through the threshold, his neck craning down as he looked above him at the ceiling. The color slowly drained from Sirius' face, his lips parting. Harry breathed heavily, waiting for Sirius to say something. Anything.

"There's snakes on the ceiling," Sirius mused finally, his eyes darting around. "Very tiny little things. There must be thousands of them."

Harry's heart thumped in his chest.

"That table has snakes around the legs," Remus added, his finger pointing into the house.

Harry took a step forward, peering closer into the home. He could see the table legs that looked as though they were carved into snakes. But the legs moved as eyes blinked at them. Bending down, Harry caught sight of the ceiling as little snakes moving in concentric circles on the ceiling. An uneasiness swirled around his stomach as his gaze flitted over to his godfather.

"They seem dormant," Sirius commented, easing deeper into the house. "There must be a trigger or something to send them into action."

A long black and yellow cobra slithered out from beneath the stained sofa towards Sirius, circling him. Sirius stood still, his left arm raising slightly as he pointed his wand at the snake. The snake didn't attack... yet. Harry knew it was only a matter of time, so he shouldered past Remus and entered the house.

"Stop!" Harry hissed at the cobra.

The cobra halted, his head turning to stare at Harry. It blinked at him but did not say anything back to him. Harry stepped closer to Sirius, his own wand raising to point directly at the snake's head.

"Harry, back the fuck up," Sirius demanded, leaving no room for argument.

"Leave him be!" Harry hissed, staying rooted in his spot.

"The heir. Must protect the heir," the cobra hissed low, slithering in front of Sirius.

Harry's gaze snapped up to Sirius, his heart hammering in his chest. "He's saying he needs to protect you," he explained before turning his attention to the cobra. "I mean no harm to the heir. The heir is my family," he hissed.

"Smells different. Smells different," the cobra hissed back. "A speaker of tongues. A speaker."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Bloody fucking hell," he muttered, raising his palm to face Harry. "Just stay back, all right? I don't want it attacking you."

"Do not kill it, Sirius," Dumbledore instructed from the doorway. "Killing the protector of the house could activate the other snakes to attack. I believe that is the trap. Keep the cobra calm, Sirius."

Clenching his jaw, Sirius reached out a hand and rested it on top of the cobra's head and muttered profanities under his breath. The cobra closed its eyes and pressed its head against Sirius' palm. Sirius' eyes flickered up to look at Harry. If they weren't surrounded by hundreds of dormant snakes while attempting to retrieve a piece of Voldemort's soul, Harry would have laughed at his godfather's displeased demeanor.

Footsteps sounded behind Harry. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Dumbledore easing his way into the house. The cobra's eyes snapped open as its body fell to the ground to circle around Sirius once more. An eerie silence filled the room as Remus entered the house as well, his shoes echoing in the room. Harry could hear the blood rushing in his ears.

"Kill the imposters," the cobra hissed suddenly.

Harry sucked in a breath as a low hissing emitted all around them. The snakes ceased their mindless coiling and sprang into action. They leapt off the furniture and emerged from beneath the floor boards. Harry jerked a foot back when a snake appeared out of nowhere by his feet, its teeth baring as it jerked its head back. With a slash of Sirius' wand, the snake flew across the room and collided with the opposite wall.

"Sirius!" Harry shouted, his heart suddenly threatening to burst form his chest. "Sirius, the cobra told them to kill us!"

A snake dove off a crooked picture on the wall at Dumbledore. His wand sliced through the air, the snake cutting into two. The snake's body fell to the floor with two dull thumps. A moment later, the two pieces moved. The back healed on the one while the other grew a head. The two brand new snakes slithered towards Dumbledore.

Another snake burst from the floorboards near Harry's feet. He stumbled back as it snapped at his feet. A growl sounded in Sirius' throat as he set fire to the snake snipping at Harry. It was short lived. Another snake fell from the ceiling with a loud thump on Harry's left. He had just turned towards it when Sirius had set that snake into flames as well.

"Harry!" Sirius hollered. "Harry, get the fuck over here!"

Before Harry could move, his attention was drawn to the other side the room.

"Fuck!" Remus exclaimed from Harry's other side.

Harry's head snapped to see Remus had set fire to a small group of snakes approaching him. Another group of snakes slide down the walls from behind a wall sconce, slithering down the plaster. Harry whipped his head to see another group sliding out from beneath a loose floorboard near the sofa, another group from behind books on a bookshelf, and even some dangling from the overheard lighting. There seemed to be snakes wherever he looked, attempting to surround them.

Wands snapped and twirled, spells flying in every direction. Snakes burned all around them, the stench of charred skin causing Harry's nostrils to flare. More snakes appeared out of every single nook and cranny to the point they were becoming overwhelmed. They slithered faster and faster towards them, towards everyone except for Sirius.

The snakes seemed to keep a healthy distance from Sirius. All except for the venomous cobra that looped around and through Sirius' legs. Sirius didn't bother with the snake, instead focusing his wand on snakes that were making their way towards Harry. Harry stuck with fire since it seemed to be the preferred method of defense amongst Sirius, Remus, and Dumbledore. It seemed as though every time a snake was killed, the number of snakes would double. They couldn't kill them fast enough. They needed a plan other than killing the snakes one by one, because Harry suspected they wouldn't stop coming.

Sirius took a step closer to Harry, his face set into a hard line. Harry quickly wiped his arm across his forehead to clear the sweat away. The cobra's head raised stiff into the air. Harry held his breath as its black eyes watched his every movement. Sirius marched towards Harry, not paying attention to the cobra. But Harry did. Harry watched as the cobra circled them.

"Sirius," Harry gasped, a lump lodging in his throat as Sirius roughly grabbed his arm.

"I told you to stay close to me!" Sirius demanded. "They're not attacking me!"

The snake leapt from the ground, its teeth baring. Sirius pushed Harry behind him. His godfather's body shielded him from the imposing attack. A wailing hiss filled the air. Harry shifted, peering around Sirius to see the cobra cut in half on the floor. Harry snapped his eyes up to see Dumbledore training his wand on the snake as it slowly regenerated into two.

Harry saw a large brown snake with dark spots making its way towards Dumbledore from behind. He pushed his way past Sirius, his wand arm raising. Sirius only grabbed him, tugging him back closer to him. Sirius sliced his palm open, not seeing the snake rapidly approaching Dumbledore.

"SIR!" Harry screamed, his eyes widening.

It was too late. The snake's mouth clamped around Dumbledore's leg. He howled in pain. Dumbledore went down in an instant, the snake still latched onto him. While Remus shouted and bolted towards Dumbledore, Sirius only dragged his bloody palm across Harry's face. Harry tried to pull away, but Sirius grabbed his shoulder roughly to stop him from moving away.

"Stay still," Sirius instructed in a gruff voice, smearing blood onto Harry's other cheek, his forehead, and his neck.

"Sirius!" Remus shouted.

Harry watched wide eyed as Remus applied pressure to the wound on Dumbledore's leg. The two poisonous cobras slithered towards them, their heads poising to attack. Sirius turned, pointing his wand at the cobras. Swirling his arm, a ring of fire appeared around Remus and Dumbledore. The snakes halted right outside of the fire as they slithered around as though they were trying to find a way through. None of the snakes bothered Harry any longer. With a shaky hand, Harry touched his face before inspecting his blood coated fingers.

"It's the blood," Sirius said. "They won't attack anyone with my blood."

"Grab the Horcrux!" Remus shouted. "Then we'll get the hell out of here."

Snakes slithered down the walls. Remus placed an invisible barrier over them so the snakes that began to drop from the ceiling only slid down into the fire. A tiny snake landed in Harry's head and he plucked it from his hair as Sirius grabbed his arm and pulled him deeper into the house.

"Stay close to me just in case," Sirius demanded as he began opening drawers.

Harry looked back at Dumbledore and Remus. The fire circle had only grown larger in size. Remus muttered spells, his wand pressing against the snake bite. Dumbledore laid still as his face grew gray and drawn. Turning back to Sirius, Harry watched as his godfather tossed books carelessly off of the bookcase. Snakes continued to slither past them towards Dumbledore and Remus across the room, continuing to ignore Sirius and Harry.

Harry's eyes scanned the room, his breaths coming out in harsh huffs as his heart beat against his ribs. He knew time was of the essence and tried to search as quickly as possible, his mind flickering back to Dumbledore, lying pale on the ground. Harry's eyes stopped on a small box on a table across the room. The box pulsated and beckoned Harry towards it. The Horcrux was inside of the box. Harry knew it.

"Harry!" Sirius hissed.

Harry paid him no attention. His focus was solely on the box. An odd calmness washed over him as the snakes parted for him. Stopping in front of the table, Harry reached out a hand and flipped the box open. A single gold ring with a shining black stone lay inside. Harry pinched the ring between his thumb and forefinger, plucking it out of the box. The ring vibrated against the pads of his fingers. Harry felt the sudden strong urge to slid the ring on his finger and absorb the sheer amount of power and magic that emitted from it.

Harry turned the ring between his fingers, leaning into the compulsion to wear the ring. He knew if he did, he would be rewarded with the thing he has always wanted. All it would take was to put on the ring. Harry could do that. He'd put it on and all of his dreams would come true. He would never take it off.

Fingers wrapped around his wrist and jerked his arm back. A whine sounded in the back of Harry's throat as he bucked his body to attempt to be released. He struggled to get away and protect his treasure. Except strong arms wrapped around his body, pinning his arms to his side. Long fingers wrestled to open his death grip. A low guttural growl escaped Harry's lips as his fingers were pried back one by one. Something slithered across Harry's wrist. He looked down to see Fluffernoodle looping his tail through the ring and plucking it from his hand. Harry screamed until his throat was about to split in two.

"Stop it!" a familiar voice hissed in his ears. "Harry! Stop!"

As though a fog lifted, Harry ceased his struggling. His heart thumped in his chest as his senses came back to him. He leaned back into his godfather's arms, his head shaking to rid his mind of the last few bits of confusion.

"I'm sorry," Harry mumbled, his head resting against Sirius' shoulder. "I'm sorry. I just… I don't know. I just really wanted to wear the ring."

"Let me hold onto it," Sirius insisted as Fluffernoodle held the ring out to Sirius. "Come on, kid. Let's get the fuck out of here."

When Sirius' arms fell, Harry only felt cold. His limbs shook as his head pulsed painfully. A warm hand touched the back of his neck, words filtering in through one ear and out the other. An odd tingling slithered across his skin as he turned around slowly to face his godfather.

"Are you all right?" Sirius pressed, giving Harry's neck a squeeze.

Harry's fingers pushed against his scar and rubbed it. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he said in a distant tone.

Sirius slipped the ring into the inner pocket of his leather jacket before his hands cupped either side of Harry's face and forcing him to look at him. "Is Voldemort coming?"

Harry searched Sirius' face. "No, no, it's not…" he trailed off, his hand dropping uselessly. "It doesn't feel like that. I can't explain it."

Sirius' jaw feathered. "Are you sure?"

Harry nodded. Sirius' hand slid down Harry's neck and moved to grab his wrist. He urged Harry to follow him quickly, ensuring they stayed close to one another. The snakes parted on the ground for them to walk. Even the snakes dangling above them only eased down slowly. One settled on Harry's shoulder and its little head brushed against Harry's cheek. Harry only plucked it off his shoulder and sat it gently on the sofa as they passed.

Dumbledore hadn't moved from where they had left him. Remus sat back on his heels, the back of his hand wiping the sweat from his forehead. The snakes circling the ring of fire scattered as Sirius approached. Sirius' hand let go of Harry's wrist and he sliced his palm open for the third time since they arrived at the shack.

"Drop the barrier," Sirius instructed.

Remus flicked his wrist. Sirius stepped over the flames and smeared his blood across Remus' forehead. He crouched down next to Dumbledore, his eyes roaming across his deathly still body. Smearing blood across Dumbledore's ashen features made it all that more disturbing.

"He's barely breathing," Remus whispered. "I can't stop the poison from spreading. I slowed it dramatically but he needs… Merlin, I don't know what he needs. We need Severus."

Sirius nodded. "Can you take him? I'll take Harry."

Remus swallowed. "Yeah, I can. Can you send a Patronus ahead? Have Hagrid meet us at the gates?"

Sirius scratched his brow with his thumb. "Can you?"

Remus stared at Sirius for a moment. "Have you even tried since–"

"No," Sirius interrupted in a clipped tone, raising to his full height. "Just do it, Remus."

Sirius waved his wand and the flames extinguished. Remus swirled his wrist and a massive silvery wolf escaped his wand and leapt through the wall. Standing up, Remus levitated Dumbledore slowly into the air. Sirius wrapped an arm around Harry, following the pair out of the house. Once at the front door, Harry turned around to see the snakes slithering back to their original places on the walls, ceiling, and around furniture.

When Sirius gently pushed Harry out the front door, the harsh February air hit his face. Harry could only blink as Remus lowered Dumbledore down to the ground and crouched down next to him. As he stared at Dumbledore, Harry couldn't help but think he looked dead. Turning his head slowly to look up at his godfather, Harry was very acutely aware that he and Remus were still alive because of the cursed blood that pumped through Sirius' veins.

While Harry had known for the past couple of months that Sirius was Voldemort's son, it was that moment that Harry fully understood what that meant. Harry loved Sirius like a son would love a father, but he couldn't deny the uneasiness that swirled in the pit of his stomach after watching Sirius commanding snakes without even trying.

I hope you enjoyed the newest chapter! I really appreciate you guys sticking with me and encouraging me even though my chapters aren't all that consistent right now. Your reviews have helped me come back and keep on writing. So, thank you!

Special thanks to prewettpotter for all her help!