Chapter 6.
Harry Potter and the Secret Summer.
Disclaimer in Chapter 1. Saves time.
AN: Yes, I know and I am sorry it's been a long time. It has been a very difficult few years. But you don't want to hear my woes, on to the story.
Confusion.
For a long moment Sirius and Harry stared at one another across the room before Dobby cleared his little throat and indicated to the laden tea table. Padfoot's stomach growled loudly, sounding just his animagus form. Harry couldn't help it, he giggled. Sirius grinned, that giggle did more for him then a dozen cheering charms. Ice broken the two sat down to eat. Dobby had laid out a hearty chicken soup with crusty bread sticks, a big bowl of mashed potatoes with lashings of butter, a platter of delicious smelling toasted roast beef or cheese sandwiches and a plate of bacon, perfectly cooked to Hedwig's exacting standards (of course). Sirius knew he had to take things slowly, but it was hard, he had had so little to sustain him for so long and the food in front of him smelled wonderful. Before he could even plate any food the kindly little elf passed him three vials of potion. Sirius recognised them of course, a stomach soother, a nutrition potion and a calming draft. He smiled gratefully at the elf. Downing all three with only the smallest of grimaces, Sirius handed the vials back to the Elf who disappeared them into one of his many pockets. Sirius blinked. Was this Elf wearing clothes? Yes, it was, a very odd assortment of clothes in a kaleidoscope of colours to be sure, but definitely clothes. Looking around him he took in the room, the Marauder in him itching with curiosity. But, first, Food! He smiled gratefully when Dobby filled his soup bowl, he wasn't sure he could have done it without making a mess, his hands still shook from Dementor exposure. For a few minutes the two ate in comfortable silence, Harry from wariness, he didn't really trust adults, even ones who said they wanted to help, and Sirius because it was all he could do not to wolf his food. (Pun intended).
Sirius decided not to try to talk too much during the meal, it was rude to talk with one's mouth full after all and Harry was happy to oblige. Dobby kept up a light and lively banter with Hedwig that kept both wizards entertained and Sirius laughed when Dobby told him, very solemnly why it was a BAD idea to upset Miss Hedwig. Harry teased back that Dobby also learnt not to scare 'Miss Mione'. The meal passed calmly, although Sirius found himself feeling full very quickly and decided not to push his luck.
The meal eaten, cups of hot chocolatey goodness in their hands Sirius and Harry sat by the fire just looking at one another. Sirius took a deep breath, reminded himself that he was the adult and Godfather and began to speak.
He told Harry everything. How he had met James, Remus and Peter on the firsty train. About also meeting Snape and Lily. He admitted to Harry he had instantly disliked to Snape as he much as he had instantly liked James. "I didn't have a happy childhood Harry, my family were Dark and often cruel. They were all proudly Slytherin. I went to Hogwarts with more baggage then just my school trunk. When I was sorted into Gryffindor my Dear Mother sent a howler every day for a week. I didn't like anything or anyone Slytherin."
For hours they talked, Sirius occasionally go off on rambling tangents. Harry realised his Dad and Sirius must have been real prats, Sirius still seemed to find their pranks funny. Harry told himself that Sirius had been in prison for a long time and cut him a lot of slack. If he hadn't been locked up with soul sucking demons he might have grown up more. Sirius told Harry of the war, the uncertain times and how their little cadre of friends had fought back against the Death Eaters. "They were dark times, we lost friends and saw awful things. Did some pretty awful things too that I won't share." Sirius tried not to think of the friends he'd had to kill after they'd been made into inferi or having a loved one turned upon you by the Imperius. "Then something happened, Dumbledore began acting even more secretive and suddenly was fixated on your parents and the Longbottoms. Voldey was getting more bold and was actively hunting both families, I knew they were every bit as old and as powerful as the Blacks once where and I figured Moldyshorts took it personal they told him to bugg… erk" Dobby glared at Sirius. "Um.. to take a hike" Harry snickered. He'd hear way worse from the three Gryffindor chasers after practise.
"When your parents went into hiding under the Fidelius charm at first I was their secret keeper. Then I had the idea that we should prank the Death Eaters and Voldie. I was being chased all over England almost daily so we switched to Peter. I still was being chased all over England but I could not give up the secret even under torture. It was the second biggest mistake I ever made. Before the week was out, Peter had ratted you all out, literally. Just like the treacherous rat he truly was. Should have known all along." Sirius shook himself.
I made my second big mistake on that awful Halloween. I was too late in getting to your parents, too late to help. When I arrived Hagrid was coming down the stairs. He let me give you a kiss goodbye before I gave him my motorbike to take you away to safety. 'Dumbledore's orders' you see, I had no chance of taking you from him and I was in such a blind rage I wasn't even thinking. All I could think about was hunting down the rat."
It took days, and I had ol' Mad Eye dogging my every step but I was too focused on Peter to think he was anything more then back up. I finally cornered the rat basta… OW!" Sirius side-eyed Dobby who just wagged a finger at him. "Next times it bes soaps in potty mouth" warned the Elf. Harry cracked a smile. He didn't feel like laughing. He was learning why his life had been utter crap after all.
"Ah.. So I had him cornered and then.. I don't know what happened. He screamed that I'd killed Lily and James, cut his pinky off and blew up the damn street! I got hit really hard in the head, think he got me with a spell too. Next thing, I wake up in Chez Azkaban."
Harry stared at his Godfather. "What? Didn't you get a trial or anything?
"Nope. Woke up in the same cell I had to escape from. The minister himself came to inspect Azkaban and graciously visited the Death Eater wing to tell us how wonderful everything was. He was ever so kind to me, passing over his newspaper while giving me the news that you were missing." Sirius shrugged. He was tired and his eyes were drooping. "I broke out a week later. Had to find you. Have to catch Peter." Dobby caught Sirius's cup before it could hit the floor as the second dose of calming draft in the hot cocoa finally knocked the exhausted man out. Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Sirius had talked a lot about 'pranks' and the other's in his little group. A lot of it sounded like bullying to Harry. He looked at Dobby and asked, "Can he get help? I think he needs a lot of it." Dobby nodded. "Dobby talks to Goblins, Dobby knows Blacks Account Goblin, Forghamer. He wills be very happy to have his accounts holder well agains. Bad Old Master tries many times to get Forghamer to open Black vaults. Forghamer laughs much at Bad Old Master. Tells him to stops smelling bads potions and stops lying about Bad Little Master beings Black Heir." Dobby chuckled. Forghamer loved to insult the arrogant Malfoy Lord and there wasn't a thing Lucius could do about it within Gringotts.
Dobby popped away to Gringotts, leaving Hedwig to watch harry and protect him as needed from the crazy wizard. Dobby knew she was more then capable of handling one wand-less wizard. He quickly found Forghamer and arrangements were made. Forghamer contacted a certain red haired Curse Breaker and within hours a fat grey rat trembled in an unbreakable cage at the centre of a battered family table surrounded by very angry redheads.
Hope you ejoyed this update. Most readers know the backstory of the Marauders and that fateful Halloweeen so I kept the retelling vague. Imagine however that Sirius rambled off on many tangents and rants. My wrists and hands are hurting so might be a bit before I can write more.