Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K.R!

This story is a collaboration work between Avoranger and Cal the Wandcrafter!

Hope you like this chapter!
Enjoy! (0w0)/

...


.

As Arthur and Sirius continued their conversation, Harry noted a look from his godfather, a simple twitch of his head towards the staircase for their planned meetup. Now, finding himself amidst the modest confines, Harry settled onto the edge of the bed, the only available perch. In one corner, a solitary desk held a chaotic collage of newspaper clippings, a relic from Sirius's school days. These fragments were remnants of Sirius's own past, meticulously archived and occasionally revisited during quieter moments. They stood as the sole vestiges in this chamber, a space largely denuded and stripped bare by neglect and abandonment.

Rising to his feet, Harry scrutinised the room, examining Sirius's surroundings more closely than ever before. Torn posters adorned the walls, featuring alluring figures alongside banners bearing the emblems of '70s bands, an intriguing contrast against Gryffindor standards and the proud crest of Sirius's favourite Quidditch team, Puddlemere United. Despite the dimness, Harry discerned the faded red and gold hues of the bedcovers, worn but steadfast. He couldn't help but imagine the disapproval of Sirius's mother, Walburga, at the sight of her son's room decorated with Muggle artefacts and Gryffindor colours—a stark departure from the family's usual decorum. A mirthful chuckle escaped Harry's lips at the thought, swiftly silenced by the solemnity of the moment.

Approaching the bedside table, Harry's gaze fell upon a photograph featuring Sirius and his fellow Marauders, save for Wormtail, conspicuously absent, the image crudely excised. They appeared youthful and carefree in the captured moment. Just as Harry turned towards the door, ready to depart, he hesitated at the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Have I kept you waiting?" Sirius inquired apologetically, retaking his seat on the edge of the bed.

"Oh, not at all," Harry replied casually, shrugging. "So, what's on your mind? You mentioned having something for me."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Sirius darted towards his trunk nestled beneath the desk, retrieving it with eager anticipation. Harry observed with mounting curiosity as Sirius rummaged through its contents. "I promised you a grand gift for your lady love. Originally intended for Christmas, but I thought it more fitting for you both to enjoy it now!" Sirius exclaimed, his grin widening as he presented two parcels wrapped in aged, yellowed paper. He seemed genuinely delighted by his find.

"This," Sirius declared enthusiastically, presenting the bundled paper, "is one of the Marauders' finest creations—aside from the map, of course! Unwrap it!" He handed one of the packages to Harry, who accepted it with a quizzical expression.

Unveiling it, Harry's eyes widened, then glistened with unshed tears as he beheld the mirror—the one Sirius had gifted him in days past, a mirror he had foolishly neglected before his tragic descent through the veil, a decision he deeply regretted.

"Is the offering so wretched as to evoke tears?" Sirius quipped, his trademark grin firmly in place.

Nodding involuntarily, Harry's reaction elicited a joyful bark of laughter from his godfather. "It's certainly gaudy… I imagine Mrs. Malfoy has one just like it in her purse so she can check her makeup."

Sirius returned his smile. "Well, you're half right. Me and James stole the pair of them from Bella and Cissy back in our fourth year when we had the idea to enchant them."

"So... what exactly is this? It's not merely an ordinary mirror, is it?" Harry feigned ignorance, though the true nature of the gift was not lost on him.

"You're quite right! It's a means of communication. There are two halves," Sirius explained, indicating the mirrors they held. "They function as a pair—mine and James's. Merely speak the name before the mirror, in this instance, mine and James's, and it shall connect us instantaneously. Give it a try!" he encouraged, demonstrating with one of the mirrors.

"Sirius Black?" Harry uttered tentatively, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. Within moments, Sirius's face materialised on the mirror Harry held, leaving him stunned.

"This... this is incredible! Thank you, Sirius!" Harry exclaimed happily, embracing his godfather tightly before admiring the gift. Sirius grinned widely, relishing in his godson's joy. "But... Sirius, I want you to keep one. If you know how to make another pair, I'd be more than happy to learn how to make additional mirrors for me and Daphne," Harry insisted.

"Harry—" Sirius began to protest, but Harry interrupted him.

"No, Sirius. These mirrors belong to you and my dad. I'll take my dad's mirror, but you should keep yours. It'll help us communicate easily while I'm at Hogwarts. I don't want a repeat of what happened last term, having to sneak around just to talk," Harry pleaded.

Although Harry already knew how to make the mirrors without Sirius's guidance. In the future-past, he had successfully recreated the communication mirror left by Sirius, declining Hermione's offer of assistance as he deemed it a family legacy he wanted to decipher independently. It took him a year and a half to unravel its workings, and he distributed a few pairs to his close friends, particularly Daphne. He regretted not immediately enlisting Kreacher's help to bypass the wards upon his arrival at Grimmauld Place.

"Ah! You nearly brought tears to this old man's eyes!" Sirius teased, pretending to wipe away tears while looking skyward.

Harry chuckled. "If you feel like crying... just let it out, Sirius," he teased back.

"Ha! Never!" Sirius grinned mischievously. "And yes, I certainly know how to make them! It's a shame you take after Lily with that curiosity," he added with faux disappointment, earning an eye roll from Harry.

"But hey! I'll look for it," Sirius said cheerfully, rummaging through his trunk once more while humming happily.

"James refused to write it in his journal, claiming he had already detailed the Map and Animagus transformation method," Sirius continued, revealing a tattered black book with a wide grin. "So I wrote it in my journal. Here it is!" he exclaimed, offering the book to Harry. "Luckily I hid this in my room, most of my stuff is probably somewhere in the Black vault in Gringotts. That's what we normally do with possession when someone gets sent to prison around here. The Ministry has a harder time getting into Gringotts to search for incriminating evidence, and certain influential families get easy access to plausible deniability." Sirius lamented as he ran a hand across the cover of the old and worn down book. "Shame about my old trunk, there were quite a few pictures of me and James in there from our childhood. I made a secret compartment in the bottom so I could hide…. Well I'll let you guess on that. Well maybe when I'm free I could go get it. It was a family heirloom, so I highly doubt mother would have burned it like she did most of my things she could get her hands on."

Harry accepted the journal with trembling hands, his amazement evident. It was the journal he had longed to possess for years, now handed to him by its owner.

"I'm sorry it's not as pristine as James's, but it's still legible!" Sirius said happily. "I'm not as skilled as him with enchantments, after all," he chuckled.

"It's okay, Sirius," Harry replied, caressing the journal with mixed emotions. He felt tears welling up again, realising the significance of the gifts bestowed upon him. "I'll cherish it," he vowed earnestly, hugging the gifts from Sirius tightly.

Sirius nodded proudly. "Let me know when you successfully enchant a mirror, will you?" he asked fondly.

"Of course, Sirius! You'll be the first to know!" Harry promised.

With a smile, Sirius declared, "It's getting late, your old man needs to rest his back. Off you go to sleep!" he joked, prompting Harry to chuckle.

"Oh! I think Moony will visit tomorrow. You can ask him for help if you need it," Sirius winked, gesturing towards the mirror with amusement.

"Sure, Sirius! But I'll do my best to figure it out on my own first," Harry grinned. "Good night!"

And with that, Harry retired for the night, feeling grateful for the treasures bestowed upon him by his godfather.

.


.

It was Saturday, and Tonks had already sent a letter to McGonagall the day before, informing her of her impending visit. Now, a few hours before the appointed time, she found herself pondering what she should bring along to ensure her visit didn't raise suspicions with Umbridge.

"Why are you acting so strangely since you woke up? Is everything alright?" Tonks's mother asked, concern etched in her voice.

Tonks, sprawled lazily on the couch, turned her head to look at her mother. "I'm trying to figure out what I should bring for McGonagall later," she sighed. "Any ideas? You were her student too, right?"

Her mother chuckled at the question, amused. "Indeed I was. But what's this about? I don't recall ever being invited to McGonagall's birthday party," she teased.

"Not her birthday, Mom! I have no idea when that even is," Tonks grumbled, suddenly realising she didn't know McGonagall's birthday. "It's about a mission my boss gave me."

"Amelia's orders?" her mother asked, surprised.

Tonks nodded. "She wants me to retrieve something from her niece and deliver a message to McGonagall. Essentially, I'll be her human owl since she's only entrusting the job to me and has forbidden me from informing any other officers. Wait, why am I telling you this? I shouldn't be!" she gasped, panicking.

Andromeda chuckled at her daughter's reaction. "I'm not just another officer, remember? I'm sure Amelia wouldn't mind you telling me about her orders," she reassured Tonks in a maternal tone.

"Is that so?" Tonks asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Seeing her mother nod with a smile eased her worries. Tonks bit her lip before continuing. She couldn't keep it all to herself. "You know how the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor changes every year, right?"

Her mother nodded, fully aware of the absurdity of the situation. The constant turnover of teachers in such a crucial subject was detrimental to the students' education, and she couldn't fathom why Dumbledore hadn't been able to resolve the issue.

In a hushed tone, Tonks continued, "Apparently, Dolores Umbridge has been appointed by the Minister to fill the position since Dumbledore couldn't find a replacement in time."

"You must be joking!" her mother exclaimed, disbelief evident in her voice. "She's not fit to teach children about that subject! She was ruthless and adept at dark magic. I know because she was a year junior to me. I even witnessed her harming some animals in an unused classroom and then pretending it wasn't her when other students found out!"

Tonks grimaced at the revelation. "I had no idea. She always seemed harmless, what with her love for pink and cats."

Her mother shook her head. "Don't judge solely by appearances, my dear," she chided gently.

"I don't! I just thought she was all bark and no bite," Tonks corrected herself.

Her mother pursed her lips. "And what's the connection between Amelia's niece and Umbridge?" she inquired as Tonks moved to sit across from her at the dining table.

"From the information I managed to gather after receiving the order, it seems her niece got detention for something trivial—she was simply helping a first-year who was being bullied. As a consequence, she's been forbidden from going home for winter break and even from visiting Hogsmeade!"

"So essentially, her niece has become a hostage?" her mother deduced.

Tonks nodded. "But I still can't figure out how her niece could possibly leave the castle, given the restrictions placed on her."

"There are a few secret passages—I discovered one when I was a student that led directly to the bottom of the well in Hogsmeade," her mother revealed. "It wasn't a very useful one, but I'm sure there are more ways to get out of the castle than that."

"Really?" Tonks was genuinely surprised, but then she shook off her astonishment. "I've only ever found secret passages between corridors and floors," she admitted sheepishly.

"Well, you're already graduated, so it doesn't really matter now," her mother said with an amused smile.

Tonks pouted. "You should have told me back in school! So... Do you have any ideas on what I should bring for her? I need something to present to her so Umbridge won't suspect why I'm at the castle. Going there just to deliver a message feels like walking into the lion's den," she lamented.

"Well, you could simply give her an early Christmas present, considering it's only two days away," her mother suggested.

"I know, Mom! The problem is deciding what to bring. How about cat toys? Do you think she'd be offended by that?" Tonks asked anxiously.

Her mother gave her a pointed look.

"I was joking!" Tonks grinned innocently.

Rolling her eyes, her mother continued, "How about a book? Perhaps a Transfiguration book or something entertaining."

Tonks pondered for a moment, then her face brightened. "A book! Maybe something muggle… Do you think she would enjoy John Grisham? I gave Madam Bones a copy of The Firm last year, and she's probably read it about ten times by now. Could work well if we need to set up a book cipher…"

"I don't think she would grasp some of the muggle concepts in it, but it's better than a cat toy. Perhaps bring her a package of tea and some snacks as well," her mother suggested, taking a sip of her tea.

.


.

Harry woke up with a groan, feeling the weight of his late-night activities weighing on him. After returning from Sirius's room, where something unexpected but welcome had transpired, he'd had a lengthy chat with Kreacher, the old house-elf. Kreacher seemed eager to hear about Harry's progress, and Harry honestly informed him of his plans to destroy the object he had been working on after retrieving the Cup from Gringotts in a few days and returning to Hogwarts. Additionally, Harry learned a new fact: bonded house-elves could be called upon from anywhere, bypassing any wards, unlike free elves, who required direct orders and couldn't penetrate certain wards like those under a Fidelius Charm. He felt immense gratitude for his decision to bond with Winky earlier, ensuring he could call upon her without causing offence within her domain.

Summoning Winky, she was overjoyed to hear from him. He tasked her with procuring a few sets of hand mirrors to create communication devices, as well as some dragonhide pouches to safeguard dark artefacts. He also asked her to deliver a letter to Daphne through Jo, who acted as her mail owl. Harry planned to take the locket with him to Hogwarts while entrusting the Cup to Daphne; there was no reason to keep it at Grimmauld Place any longer, as they aimed to destroy it as soon as possible.

Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, Harry realised it was already one in the afternoon. Despite feeling reluctant to leave his bed, hunger ultimately drove him downstairs in search of food. As he descended, he hoped there would be leftovers or raw ingredients to cook with.

Upon entering the kitchen, Harry's tired eyes brightened at the sight of Remus Lupin enjoying coffee at the dining table, absorbed in the morning newspaper. An idea formed in Harry's mind, altering his plans to sneak out alone for his rendezvous with Daphne at Gringotts.

"Hey, Remus!" he greeted eagerly, taking a seat beside him. "When did you arrive? Sirius was just bragging about your visit!" Harry remarked, his excitement palpable.

"I just got here. Did you sleep well?" Remus inquired.

"I did, though I stayed up late reading my dad's journal," Harry lied, keeping his nocturnal activities to himself.

Offering an innocent grin to Remus, Harry's attention was then drawn to Mrs. Weasley, who had noticed his entrance.

"Eat up, Harry. You must be famished," she said, placing a plate of Shepherd's pie and a glass of pumpkin juice in front of him. "You missed breakfast," she added in her motherly tone.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley!" Harry said gratefully before turning back to Remus, who observed him with an amused expression.

"So, what have you been up to lately? I heard you don't visit very often... Sirius has been quite lonely!" Harry said in a hushed tone, adding a playful note to his words as he dug into his own meal.

Remus chuckled. "Dumbledore gave me a mission, so I can only drop by when I'm free," he explained, taking a hearty bite of Shepherd's pie.

"Was that the same mission Mr. Weasley was on?" Remus and Mrs. Weasley glanced at each other for a few seconds before Remus answered.

"No, Harry, it's about werewolf stuff," Remus said honestly, raising an eyebrow. "And how did you know Mr. Weasley was on a mission?"

Harry shrugged. "You just told me," he replied casually, earning a disbelieving shake of the head from Remus. "Oh! If you have a day off tomorrow, would you take me to Diagon Alley? I need to do some last-minute shopping," Harry suddenly asked, his tone hopeful.

Obviously, Mrs. Weasley, who was washing dishes, immediately reacted to his request. "You shouldn't be going anywhere, young man. Dumbledore said so!" she interjected worriedly. "If there's anything you want to buy, you can ask me, and I'll buy it for you!"

"So, would you take me?" Harry ignored Mrs. Weasley's warning and fixed his gaze on Remus, who appeared conflicted about how to respond. He glanced at Mrs. Weasley, who was glaring at him with her hands on her hips, then back at Harry, who pleaded silently. With a heavy sigh, Remus acquiesced.

"Yes, Harry. I'll go with you," he agreed, eliciting angry protests from Mrs. Weasley, who threatened to report the matter to Dumbledore, and joyous cheers from Harry.

"Come on, Molly! Don't worry, he's not going alone, and I'll see if Tonks or someone can come along as backup," Remus reassured Mrs. Weasley.

"Why would you even want him to go? How irresponsible!" Mrs. Weasley snapped, still visibly upset by Remus's decision. "You should know better! Dumbledore ordered him to stay here! It's safer here!"

"But I need to go, Mrs. Weasley, I have business at Gringotts as well, and if I don't show up in person, then I'll be in serious trouble. It's not something that you or Dumbledore can stand in my place for. I'm sorry, but I don't care about Dumbledore's order for me to stay here, and I can't comply with your request either," Harry stated firmly. "I know you're worried about me, and I appreciate it, but you don't need to fret. Remus will be going with me. Even if you insist on forbidding me, I'm sorry, but I will still go," Harry reiterated.

Remus was taken aback by Harry's determination to get what he wanted. He seemed different from the Harry he had known in the third year, and he felt a pang of regret for not maintaining their communication from the previous year; he could sense a widening gap between them. Glancing at Molly, who was dabbing at her tears with a washcloth, he realised how deeply she cared for Harry. Deciding to grant Harry's request, both out of responsibility and a desire to reconnect with him, Remus agreed to accompany him. He didn't want Harry to feel alone, especially when Sirius wasn't around.

Harry's request had sparked another argument with Mrs. Weasley after he returned to his room, elated. Despite offering her understanding, Mrs. Weasley initially refused to relent. However, Remus eventually said something so emphatically that she couldn't ignore the harsh reality: Harry wasn't her son. But she seemed to have forgotten that Harry wasn't her son, and she couldn't forbid him from following his desires, especially if there was an adult willing to accompany him.

.


.

In the shadowy outskirts of Hogsmeade, concealed beneath layers of ageing wrinkles and wispy grey hair, Tonks ventured forth on her mission. Disguised as an old woman in an oversized cloak, she made her way toward the Shrieking Shack with determined steps.

Navigating the dimly lit streets with caution, Tonks approached the dilapidated fence that surrounded the Shack. Despite its ominous reputation, she focused on her task at hand, determined to complete it swiftly.

Scouring the area, her keen eyes scanning for any sign of the hidden note, Tonks noticed a peculiar sight—a deer femur lying just at the edge of the fence. Intrigued, she approached the bone with cautious curiosity, her wand at the ready.

With a flick of her wand, Tonks summoned the bone into her hands and examined it closely. Carefully inspecting every inch, she discovered a small compartment within the hollow of the bone, barely visible to the naked eye from how it blended into the snow.

"Ha! Bones… Funny," she mused to herself, satisfied that her mission was complete. Tucking the note safely into her pocket, she prepared to make her way up to the castle for her second task. Shifting her form three times as she ducked into alleyways, Tonks eventually assumed her natural form, shedding the oversized robes that hid her Auror uniform along the way.

Upon entering the Hogwarts grounds, Tonks was intercepted by Dolores Umbridge, who stood near the Great Hall door, seemingly expecting her. Umbridge greeted her with a sickly sweet smile before approaching her in what seemed like a friendly manner.

"Auror Tonks, I'm quite certain no one extended an invitation to an Auror to enter the castle tonight," Umbridge remarked, her smile wide as she wore a pink coat with frilly ornamentation around her collar.

Tonks gulped nervously, not expecting to encounter Umbridge so soon.

"Madam Umbridge," she greeted politely, her mind racing as she concocted a plausible explanation. "I'm actually here on assignment. Auror Scrimgeour assigned me to visit the castle to scout for potential candidates for next year. As the newest recruit, I get the tedious assignments, But it's still better than doing paperwork all day. So, don't worry, I'm simply meeting with the heads of houses to inquire about any students showing promise." she lied confidently, hoping to convince Umbridge.

Umbridge regarded her with suspicion for a moment before allowing her to proceed. "Don't wander around alone, Auror Tonks. Carry out your duties diligently," she cautioned with a giggly laugh, before departing, leaving Tonks alone in the chilly castle corridors.

"What on earth?" Tonks muttered to herself, turning around as she heard footsteps approaching.

"My... Miss Tonks, can I assist you?" The newcomer gasped, prompting Tonks to wince at the reaction. "Is something amiss?" they asked, sounding concerned.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall, I was just looking for you. Could we speak in your office?" Tonks requested.

Seated in the professor's office with a cup of steaming tea in front of her, Tonks awkwardly sipped it before placing it back on the table, preparing to start the conversation.

"How are you, Professor?" she began, attempting to maintain pleasantries.

"I told you to call me Minerva in private!" McGonagall scolded impatiently, eager to hear what her former student had to say. "Cut the pleasantries, Tonks. What happened?"

"Nothing's happened, Professor. Everyone's fine, and I'm fine," Tonks assured her, trying to calm her former teacher. "Officially, I'm here to ask the heads of houses about potential recruits. But unofficially... I'm a human-owl," she explained with a humourless chuckle.

McGonagall regarded Tonks with a disapproving expression.

"Alright, I'm serious now. I received a message from Madam Bones. She wants you to pass on her greetings and mentions that there is currently an investigation into Fudge and Umbridge underway. Big stuff, not just slap on the wrist level punishments. She says any information about what she is up to in the castle will be greatly appreciated…" She paused and sighed in exasperation before continuing. "Additionally, she's aware of the Order's activities in the Department of Mysteries," Tonks explained, grimacing at the last part.

McGonagall raised an eyebrow in surprise. "She mentioned that?"

"Yes, she did," Tonks confirmed, noting McGonagall's worried expression.

"I think she's alright with me being in the Order as long as I'm also useful for her," Tonks added, chewing her lips nervously as she awaited McGonagall's reaction. "Should I inform Kingsley and Moody that the cat is out of the bag?"

McGonagall sighed. "For now, keep it to yourself. Madam Bones explicitly instructed you not to disclose the mission she assigned you, didn't she?"

"Yes, that's correct," Tonks nodded pensively.

"Is there anything else? You still seem on edge."

"Yes, actually. This is a message for you from Madam Bones. She wants you to watch over her niece while she stays at the castle," Tonks revealed.

McGonagall looked surprised by the request. "Madam Bones asked me that?"

"Yes, ma'am. She's concerned for her niece since Umbridge has forbidden her from going home for winter break," Tonks explained.

"I thought it was her choice to stay at the castle, not because it was forced upon her," McGonagall murmured to herself.

"It's not, Minerva. It's because of some detention. Umbridge sent her a letter about it at the very last minute, when she wouldn't be in the office to get it," Tonks affirmed.

"I heard there were detentions before the winter break, but I thought they were mostly handled by Filch. Technically, she does have the power to keep a student here while the school year is still in session, but it's not a punishment that has been used in a hundred years or more…" McGonagall trailed off.

Tonks nodded. "Madam Bones believes Umbridge has been tampering with the post, because all of the letters she was receiving seemed off. Then a few days ago, Susan managed to sneak a coded letter out confirming it."

McGonagall shook her head in disbelief, frustrated with Umbridge's influence. "Tell her that I'll be glad to do so," she said with a smile. "I'll arrange a tea time for tomorrow."

"Thanks, Minerva," Tonks said, returning the smile. "I think I'll be off now before it gets too late. And please let Susan know that her aunt received her letter and… What were the words? 'Would love to visit Brazil?' Yeah, that's it." she added with a grin.

She stood to leave before her face lit up with realisation. "Oh, before I forget, I have something for you. Happy Christmas! It's a pretty good read, and Bones has a copy, in case we need to set up a cipher between the two of you," she said sheepishly, handing over the package.

"Thank you, Ms. Tonks. You know you didn't have to, right?" McGonagall replied, peeking at the package before returning her attention to Tonks.

"Well, I wanted to... So don't worry about it," Tonks grinned happily.

"Then I will gladly accept it, Ms. Tonks, and I'll ensure to relay the message ," McGonagall said warmly. "Now go, as I recall, you still have four more visits to make."

"What? Oh, I probably should have thought that excuse through a bit more."

.


.

The next day, Remus arrived greeted by a sullen Sirius who couldn't join them after learning of Remus and Harry's plan from Mrs. Weasley. Despite her permission for Harry to go with Remus, it seemed Sirius was still excluded. He continued to grumble, glaring at Remus, who maintained an innocent facade.

Harry woke up exceptionally early that morning, filled with anticipation to see Daphne again. After exchanging messages with her via Winky, who eagerly acted as a post-elf, Harry had managed to enchant a new set of communication mirrors the previous night and had yet to send them to Daphne. From their letters, he concluded that she had agreed to meet him at Gringotts at the agreed-upon time. He didn't know how Daphne had persuaded her father to accompany her to Diagon Alley under the guise of last-minute gift shopping, but he was grateful for it. The most important thing was that they could proceed with their plan.

Harry was prepared, with everything he needed packed in his bag: the invisibility cloak, the communication mirror from Sirius, and the dragonhide pouch purchased by Winky to secure the Cup from Bellatrix Lestrange's vault. Surveying himself in the mirror, he ensured he looked presentable, hoping to make a good impression on Daphne's father, at least to some extent. His heart raced with excitement and nerves as he prayed for their plan to proceed smoothly.

Harry and Remus set off on their way to Diagon Alley, enjoying the chill of the morning air as they passed down the streets of London.

"You said we're going with Tonks, right? Where is she?" Harry asked curiously as they walked down the snow-covered streets of Grimmauld Place, shoving his hands in his pockets to keep warm. He had forgotten not to cast a warming spell on himself. So stupid.

"Tonks will be waiting for us at the Leaky Cauldron," Remus replied curtly.

They arrived at a deserted spot that members of the Order often used as an Apparition point.

"Harry, have you ever Apparated before?" Remus asked. Harry frowned and shook his head.

"Apparate? What's that?" he asked, feigning confusion.

"It's a form of transportation. Hold my hand tightly; it's uncomfortable for a first-timer like you. Don't let go of my hand no matter what happens, understand?" Remus instructed, holding out his hand. Harry nodded several times and gripped it tightly.

Harry reflexively closed his eyes as he felt the sensation of being squeezed through a tube a few times until he felt his feet hit the ground again, but he reeled and threw up, emptying his stomach of his breakfast. Ever since his first time tagging along Apparition with Dumbledore, he had not been a fan. It always made him very nauseous. Daphne and Susan couldn't stop teasing him about it. He preferred Apparating others rather than being the one who tagged along.

"Sorry, Harry, but you'll get used to it," Remus said reassuringly, looking concerned. Harry looked at him doubtfully.

"I'm better now," he said after taking a deep breath. Harry glanced around to assess the situation. "Come on, Remus!"

They walked towards the door of the Leaky Cauldron. Remus patted Harry on the shoulder and pointed to a shoulder-length brunette girl who was sipping a bottle of butterbeer. It was obvious that it was Tonks in disguise. How did Harry know? Even though Tonks could change her body shape and colour at will, she couldn't change her habits and body gestures. Tonks was fiddling with her fingers on the table impatiently.

"Sorry, did we make you wait?" Remus asked Tonks matter-of-factly.

"No, I just got here," she grinned. "Let's go, I didn't tell Moody I was accompanying you two here, and he'll be a pain to deal with if we aren't at base when he gets there.

"Well, it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission," Harry said, which was immediately greeted with laughter from Tonks.

"Just about the story of my life right there," She remarked.

"Stop encouraging him, Tonks!" scolded Remus amusedly.

"Me? Encourage bad habits? Never!" exclaimed Tonks defensively, "I'm just reminiscing about my school days, right Harry?" she asked, seeking support, which only earned her a light chuckle as Harry nodded.

With a sigh of defeat, the older man turned back to Harry. "Where do you want to go first?" Remus asked.

"Gringotts first," Harry replied without looking back, walking ahead confidently.

"Oh yes, you mentioned some meeting there? What's going on exactly?"

"Oh I have to meet up with my girlfriend. I didn't lie, I would be in a lot of trouble if I didn't show."

Remus let out a howl of laughter as Tonks lifted her eyebrows in mirth, barely holding back her own giggles. "You've been spending too much time with Sirius."

"Speaking of, I need to go down into his vault and look for something. His old trunk from school. He said it had some pictures of him and my dad. I figured it would be a good Christmas present."

Remus nodded in recognition as memories flashed past his eyes. "I remember that old picture book. He kept it in a hidden compartment in the bottom so his mother wouldn't find it. But are you even going to be able to get into the Black vault?"

Harry nodded with a small smile. "He's the Lord Black, I'm his legal godson, so that makes me the Heir Black. The Goblins won't reject it."

There was no way he was telling Remus that in 2000 he had learned Sirius had already signed him onto the access list with whole inheritance over the Black family assets, submitting the paperwork by owl after his escape from prison. Time travel shenanigans tended to make people seem crazy if they knew too much, after all.

The white building came into view, blending in with the snow around it. Harry felt nervous as he approached the Goblins' quarters. Would the plan work? He looked around again, searching for Daphne. Harry didn't know if his girlfriend had arrived yet or not. Let's just hope they arrived at Gringotts around the same time. Harry hoped so.

Harry stopped in front of the main door and just stood, staring at it, swallowing nervously. He read the rules carved in a large granite wall next to the door, warning every customer.

"Harry? Are you okay?" Tonks noticed that Harry hadn't followed them inside. Harry snapped out of his thoughts and just gave her an innocent smile before sprinting after them. "I get it, Goblins are still pretty creepy even after years of seeing them."

As soon as he entered, he spotted the girl he had been waiting for standing in line with other customers, accompanied by her father.

Daphne turned her head when she heard footsteps approaching. Her lips widened into the smile that Harry loved.

"Hi Harry!" She greeted him warmly.

"Father," Daphne interjected with a businesslike tone as they distanced themselves from the queue, "I'd like you to meet my boyfriend, Harry Potter."

Cyrus cast a menacing glance in Harry's direction.

"Harry, dear, this is my father, Cyrus Greengrass," she introduced, noting her father's disapproving expression.

"Hello, sir. It's an honour to meet you," Harry greeted politely.

"So, you're the boy who has managed to capture my daughter's heart?" Cyrus scrutinised him with a discerning eye. "What's your motivation for—"

"Father!" Daphne cut in sharply, halting his absurd line of questioning. "Don't mind him, Harry. Let's move along; the queue is empty," Daphne urged, steering a confused and wide eyed Harry towards the front table, leaving three bewildered adults in her wake.

Tonks stifled a laugh, hastily covering her mouth with her hand.

"Listen here, Lupin! If he so much as lays a finger on her..." Cyrus began, snapping back to reality and glaring angrily at Remus.

Remus innocently grinned and raised his hands in surrender. "I assure you, Cyrus, He's a gentleman, and they will be fine."

Cyrus shoved Remus' shoulder irritably, exhaling heavily in frustration.

"Relax, I highly doubt they'll engage in any mischief within the Goblins' territory. Harry's simply accompanying her; he won't be making any advances in the Goblin's carriages," Remus reassured him.

"You're not making me feel any better about this, Lupin! You're supposed to be helping," Cyrus retorted.

"Always at your service," Remus quipped.

"How long do you think they'll be in there? Should we try to catch up with them?" Cyrus asked anxiously, torn between wanting to chase after them and listening to Remus's reasoning.

"I doubt your daughter would appreciate it if you did that. Teenage years can be tricky," Remus advised.

Tonks observed Lord Greengrass, usually strict and elegant, now visibly distressed at his daughter's departure with another man. She was surprised to see him interact with Remus like old friends. How did Remus know him? It was nearly impossible to engage Lord Greengrass in conversation without prior acquaintance.

"What do you know about teenage years?" Cyrus demanded petulantly.

"We were teenagers once, remember?" Remus reminded him.

Cyrus grimaced, displeased with the reminder.

"I'm sure if James were here today, he'd be thrilled and boast about it," Remus remarked with a hint of sadness.

Cyrus turned to him with a bitter grin. "I can imagine. He'd undoubtedly derive great satisfaction from laughing at me," he snorted. "As if I'd readily hand over my daughter to his son," he grumbled, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "They're fifteen now... time truly flies," he mused, trying to come to terms with reality.

Remus nodded in agreement, acknowledging the fleeting nature of time.

"I still remember the first time I held her, never once did I imagine that she would hold another man's hand besides me," Cyrus murmured bitterly, feeling a pang of protectiveness. Remus patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"I'll kill him if he dares touch her anywhere else!" Cyrus declared, ready to spring into action.

"Whoa there, Cy! Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Remus chuckled, restraining him gently.

They resumed their seats, lapsing into contemplative silence.

"Hey, Remus," Cyrus suddenly broke the quiet, causing Remus to turn towards him. However, Cyrus realised there was another person present besides Remus—someone he identified as Nymphadora Tonks. Not wanting to involve her unnecessarily, Cyrus swiftly redirected his attention.

"Oh! My apologies, I nearly forgot you were here. Pardon my oversight," he apologised charmingly. "If I may inquire, who are you? I've spotted you around the Ministry on occasion. Do you work there?" he inquired with genuine curiosity.

"Lord Greengrass," she nodded politely, "pleasure to meet you. I'm Nymphadora Tonks, and yes, I'm an Auror— just promoted to Detective. Madam Bones speaks quite highly of you," she replied with a slightly awkward smile. Cyrus nodded in acknowledgment.

"You've been doing commendable work, Auror Tonks. I'll be sure to speak highly of you to Amelia," he praised.

"Thank you, Lord Greengrass," she responded, a blush colouring her cheeks.

"Are you on duty today?"

"No, it's my day off. Remus asked me to accompany him and Harry shopping," she explained.

"I see..." Cyrus nodded, then turned to Remus. "May I have a word with you privately, Remus? There's something we need to discuss. Are you alright waiting for the kids here alone?" Remus looked surprised but agreed.

"Of course, Lord Greengrass," Tonks replied.

"Thank you, Tonks. Come, Remus," Cyrus gestured for Remus to follow him to a private room he had access to in Gringotts due to his influence in the financial world.

Remus glanced around the room, noting its sage-coloured walls adorned with ornaments and portraits. On one side hung a motionless painting depicting the Greengrass family ancestors, while on the other side was a large framed photo of the Cyrus family, the current heads of the Greengrass lineage. A comfortable couch surrounded a table in the centre of the room, with a fireplace burning on one wall.

"Please, have a seat, Remus. Anywhere you like," Cyrus invited after tapping his wand on the table, activating security wards. Remus raised an eyebrow in response.

"Don't worry, I just activated some security measures. Can't be too careful," Cyrus reassured him with a smile.

"You haven't changed a bit, Cyrus," Remus remarked.

"Growing older doesn't always mean changing who we are; sometimes it means refining our former selves. You seem quite unchanged yourself," Cyrus observed.

"Fair point. So, what did you want to discuss? Why not include Tonks?" Remus inquired.

"Hmm, I don't know her well enough to trust her with certain matters," Cyrus explained thoughtfully.

"Are you serious? I don't have any money if you are looking into some money making scheme," Remus joked.

Cyrus chuckled, "Why does it always come back to money?"

"Because when it comes to the Greengrass family, it's always about money. I might need to give Harry a heads up about that," Remus remarked with a hint of amusement.

"I should be the one warning my daughter!" He retorted playfully before clearing his throat and redirecting the conversation. "But you're right. My family has always been associated with wealth due to our expertise in economics and business. However, this conversation is completely unrelated to that," he stated, snapping his fingers to summon refreshments to the table.

Cyrus reached for a pack of cigarettes and lit one with relish. "Do you smoke, Remus?" he offered, extending the pack. Remus accepted and lit one as well.

"If it's not about money, then what is it about?" Remus inquired, intrigued.

"I'm not here in my capacity as an economist, Remus," Cyrus replied, exhaling smoke slowly. "I'm here representing Internal Affairs."

"Internal Affairs?" Remus whistled in surprise. "I had no idea you were involved with them."

"Well, it's a well-kept secret. I'd appreciate it if you kept it that way," Cyrus said with a grin.

"So, what do you need from me? I'm not affiliated with the Ministry," Remus stated, puzzled.

"Of course, I understand," Cyrus replied cryptically, remembering the suspicious activities reported at the Department of Mysteries. "I've heard rumours about Barty Crouch Jr posing as a teacher at Hogwarts without Dumbledore's notice…"

"That's just speculation…" Remus interjected, but Cyrus raised an eyebrow.

"I've also heard that Harry Potter claims Peter Pettigrew is still alive, and is assisting The Dark Lord… and that he was one of your associates," Cyrus continued, observing Remus closely.
"That's enough!" Remus snapped, rising from his seat with a sharp look.

"Wait Remus, please, sit down… I'm not finished," Cyrus urged calmly, taking a sip of tea and lighting another cigarette. Reluctantly, Remus resumed his seat, looking tense.

"Listen, Remus," Cyrus began with a serious tone, leaning forward. "As I mentioned earlier, I'm here on Internal Affairs business. If Harry Potter's claims about Crouch Jr. and Pettigrew are true, we need to know more. Fudge is playing a dangerous game, and you, your family, friends, and even Mr. Potter could be at risk." Cyrus leaned back, waiting for Remus's reaction. "And especially my daughter, given Mr. Potter's relationship with her." Remus appeared conflicted. Before he could make any rash decisions, Cyrus added, "Take your time to think it over. Consider it carefully. And keep this card," he said, placing his business card on the table. "Don't lose it."

Remus accepted the card without looking at it, tucking it into his pocket - feeling suffocated by the tension in the room, he longed to leave.

"Oh, by the way, do you receive frequent letters from Mr. Potter when he is at school?" Cyrus asked, raising an eyebrow.

Remus furrowed his brow at the unexpected question. "I'm not quite sure what you're getting at," he replied, taking a deliberate sip of his tea.

"Regular letters… Daphne used to send them to me about twice a month," Cyrus continued, his tone thoughtful. "But recently, the contents have been rather peculiar. I was just wondering if Mr. Potter's letters were similar."

"I'll have to check," Remus responded, equally pensive.

"Fair enough," Cyrus replied with a contemplative look. Suddenly it was gone as soon as it appeared as a grin crossed Lord Greengrass' face. "Well since we have the time, do you remember that prank you guys pulled on the Hufflepuffs in my 5th year? How did you pull that off, turning the entire table's skin purple?"

Lupin smiled back in remembrance as the two old friends began to talk of their school days, all thoughts of the two kids miles below them pushed to the back of their minds.

...


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By the way, for whoever wants to read ahead for chapter 21 and 22, it's already on my Pat-site. Besides that, there's also exclusive oneshots in the same universe as 'The Time Bomb'. Three oneshots already released! The newest is 'Susan's Adventure'! You're curious what happened to Susan while alone in the castle don't you? So let's read it! ;D

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