I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF ITS ORIGINAL CHARACTERS, ONLY MY OCS AND THE SITUATIONS I PUT THEM IN. WARNING: There will be cussing, lemons, and violence. (Also, someone said I should put: please don't steal. Didn't think I needed to, but ok. Please don't steal my stories.)
Some characters may seem OOC at some points at different times in the story, but I hope I explain that in the story when the time comes. Some things happen pretty fast at first (like certain relationships or legal stuff), but again I try to explain it. Some people may go back and forth at times, but I'll explain it! You get the idea. Spelling and grammar errors, I recheck constantly, so sorry if some slip by. Some character bashing in the beginning and for a little while, but that doesn't mean it will last the whole story. I don't hate certain characters though it may seem like that at times. Reviews are appreciated, but no hate please. If you don't like for whatever reason, just please don't read. THIS IS A WARNING. Though I will put a warning at the beginning of the chapter if needed. I do not condone all of these things, but my mind can be really fucked up, I apologize now. Please, if you don't like then don't continue to read and don't comment how you don't like it. It's unneeded. Big thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and/or favorited. You guys rock! I'll fix more spelling errors later, just wanted to get this up. Again, thank you to everyone who followed and reviewed, here's a few; nbop, Padfoot'smyMan, Sillygabby, Amber0522, MadnessInTheHeart16, Thalia0965, Starie78, and SiriusBlackWinchester. If I missed anyone, I'm sorry. I appreciate all the great and excited reception for the story! I hope you enjoy this chapter. Things start heating up and get emotional. Let's go! Enjoy.
WARNING: INTENSE MENTIONS OF CHILD ABUSE AND WORSE ACTS AGAINST A CHILD, LIKE SA TRIGGER WARNING, SERIOUSLY. ESPECIALLY WHEN MENTIONING VIVIAN, TAKE THE WARNING SERIOUSLY THOUGH I PROMISE I DON'T GO INTO DETAIL.
Chapter 2: Welcome to the Family.
Harry woke up alert. The first thing he noticed was his wife snuggled into his side before the memories of the night before flowed through his mind.
"Disorienting isn't it" came the voice of Hermione.
That was when he noticed that the others were awake as well. Ron's lack of troll level snores should have been the biggest clue.
"Come on" Neville said standing. "Let's get cleaned up and make breakfast. I'm sure Sirius and Remus would appreciate if we finished up with our business quickly so we could wake them up".
He was talking to the other Knights. No matter what or how close they were, no one gave Harry orders.
Besides maybe Hermione.
"Right, everyone up" Harry agreed, kissing Hermione's head. "Ladies can shower first while we figure out what needs to be done" he said. Luna and Vivian followed Hermione upstairs.
"So, Gringotts first. Then we'll come back and wake them up for a spot of breakfast?" Ron suggested. "Should we deal with the pigs before they wake up?" he asked and they looked at Harry.
"I think that would be best, no real reason to keep them around is there? Besides a spot of fun" Harry stated. "Though, I suppose I should spare Dudley. He's merely a product of bad breeding" he said thoughtfully.
"If you want, I can…persuade him to keep quiet and send him to that dreadful Aunt of yours" Neville offered.
Harry thought for a moment before nodding. "That would be best, do that now please" he said. He didn't have to give Neville further instructions. He knew exactly what to do.
Now it was just Harry and Ron in the living room.
"I think you should go get your inheritance. Maybe take Hermione and Vivian with you while we get everything ready here" Ron suggested. "That way you can't be taken by surprise" he said.
Harry could handle himself, but this version of Harry wasn't supposed to know anything yet.
It would be wise to have his full inheritance and everything that entailed on his side.
"You may be right" Harry said. "I also plan on adding you all to the Potter vaults" he informed, cutting of Ron's protests. "You know I have more than enough, and we'll all need easy access. I don't think I could run out if I tried for a good while. I know you don't like it, the others won't either, but it needs to be done" he said making Ron sigh.
"Besides, we're family" he added. Ron shot him a look but nodded. "I would add the other Weasleys, but…" Harry trailed off.
"Say no more" Ron stopped him. "We'll be fine. Plus, we both know how Mum's going to be" he said with a headshake though there was a fond smile on his face. "She'll be a handful for a while" he admitted.
"And she's always been a tad overly interested in getting you and Ginny together" he remembered.
"But she's a good woman" Harry said, feeling the need to reassure his friend.
"Yes, but even good people make mistakes. Everyone can be blinded at times" Ron said knowingly.
"I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to go over it later" Harry said, not liking the feelings the discussion was invoking. "Right now, let's concentrate on getting to Gringotts. What do you think the best strategy would be?" he asked.
"Hmm" Ron said, thinking for a moment.
"You should all wear the capes again but change the colors. We don't want to draw too much suspicion too soon" he declared. "Same charms as last night, until you can speak to the goblin in charge of your account alone" was suggested. "Do you know who it is right now?" he asked.
"No, not right now. But I can tell you who it's going to be" Harry said and Ron raised a brow.
"You're going to request Warwick, one of the chief goblins? This soon?" he surmised only slightly surprised.
"Do you think it unwise?" Harry asked making Ron smile.
"I think it's perfect" he disagreed. "He may not know us, but we know him. We know he'll do his job and won't allow outside influence. You should follow your gut, as always" Ron said and Harry nodded just as Hermione walked down.
"Vivian is finishing up now. We're going with you" she stated, leaving no room for argument. As if he would. He smirked, Hermione was the only one to ever boss him around.
Ever.
The others were his friends. His family. His Knights and the only ones he even considered close to his level of power, integrity and intelligence.
Harry believed that Remus and Sirius could reach their level in no time and be just as close, if they really wanted too and tried.
Though they'd have to prove themselves.
He loved the men, but he had to know if they were Death Knight material.
If not, he'd accept them as uncles only.
'Perhaps the piggies could help with that' he thought idly.
Hermione was his equal on all levels. He even saw her above him. She was his wife, his best friend, his lover, his queen. His Goddess.
"Already knew that Love" he said making her grin. He smiled at her pronounced front teeth.
"Not a word" was threatened making his amusement reach new heights.
He decided to move on for the time being. "None of you are to touch the piggies" Harry ordered making Ron look at him.
"What do you want to do with them?" Ron asked guessing there was a reason.
"After we talk to Remus and Sirius and give them a little time to adjust" Harry told them as Vivian walked down and began helping Hermione change the cloak colors. "I want them to prove their loyalty. Prove that they are committed to me and me alone" Harry said.
"Perfect targets for it" Vivian said. "The people who hurt you growing up. That should help with motivation".
They made Hermione and Harry's cloaks a deep red while Vivian's was a lavish green.
"Trying to match your eyes Viv" Ron teased. "Color's not quite right" he cupped her cheek lovingly.
"House pride and all" she snickered when he made a face at her, but kissed the top of her head.
"Married a Slytherin, what will the twins say" he sighed.
"The twins love me" she boasted making him laugh.
Neville walked down with Luna and a dazed Dudley.
"Hello Harry" Dudley said, not totally himself at the moment. Harry smirked taking some pleasure in his cousin's state.
The bully of a boy was saved due to his own actions. Dudley had reconciled in the end, before he left. So, Harry was willing to give his younger version a chance.
Though living with Aunt Marge may have been a punishment in itself.
"Make sure you compel her too" Harry told Neville who put on his cloak. "Don't need her abusing him" he muttered. Neville nodded before taking Dudley's arm and disappearing.
"Ron, you clean Sirius and Remus up more. Maybe get them in some new clothes. I want them to wake up comfortably" he mentioned getting a nod from Ron.
"Luna, go make sure the piggies are…properly situated" he allowed. The blonde smiled, starry eyes taking on a wicked spark.
"We are going to Gringotts. Now, while there I'm going to add you all to my account and the Potter family, no arguing" came his commanding voice. Even in its pubescent stage it made them all stay silent at the firm tone.
"Then we will have to go to Potter Manner. Clean it up and move in" he said, and everyone nodded. "Fill Neville in when he gets back. See you soon" he waved, taking Hermione's hand as the three disappeared.
"Do you need help?" Ron asked his blonde friend with puppy dog eyes.
Luna smirked before sticking her tongue out and skipping up the stairs.
"Rude" Ron huffed before going to clean up the sleeping Marauders.
####SCENE BREAK#####
They landed in an alley away from most people. A hag saw and ventured approaching before they stepped into the little light. She quickly scrambled away.
They did make for menacing figures as they moved swiftly and confidentially.
People moved out of the way for the group of unidentifiable cloaked figures. That made them chuckle lowly. Hermione's still bordered on a cackle making her attempt great restraint.
She knew that was definitely something that needed correcting.
They passed by many people, some they recognized.
They even saw Dumbledore.
Vivian and Hermione had to urge Harry forward.
"Now is not the time" Hermione whispered.
"He'll get his come upends soon enough" Vivian assured. "Think of how he'll react when he starts to see that his pliable weapon is no longer so pliable or under his control" she murmured, almost cooed getting him to stop and listen.
Hermione, seeing where she was going, took over. She stepped close to her lover as her voice took a tantalizing note.
"Think of what he'll feel, the panic he'll experience when every one of his plans begins to fail and the control he's so desperately clung to slips through his fingers like fine sand" she whispered, voice lowering even further to an almost hypnotic tone.
"Yes, yes… The sands of time. More than he'll ever know" Harry agreed as his eyes became alight with anticipation. "Soon old man, soon" he hissed lowly before finishing the walk to the bank.
They walked up to a teller, who didn't look at them until Harry let his magic spread out and the goblin's head snapped up at the power radiating off of the stranger in front of him.
"We'd like to speak to Warwick" came the deep voice.
The battle worn goblin tried to freeze his expression before scurrying off to find the banker in question. Not a moment later and he was leading a slightly taller goblin with hard eyes, and strong chin and scarred face towards them.
"Who dares demand me" Warwick barked out.
"I, the Master of Death dare. We have business" Harry's voice hissed like cold wind through the night. The goblins' eyes seemed to widen in what was akin to recognition.
Hermione wondered if the paper had already written about the breakout and vowed to pick up a paper before they left.
"Perhaps we do" Warwick hummed, admittedly curious before he began leading them to his office chambers.
Once in, Harry spoke. "Before we begin, I must have a vow from you that you will not betray any of our secrets" was spoken clearly and Warwick scowled.
"You demand much wizard" he snapped.
"It is necessary. In return, you will have protection and treasure" Harry told him making his interest raise even more.
"Fine" the higher goblin finally growled before taking the vow. He scowled again when they had him check his office for charms, but complied grudgingly.
"Now, what so valuable secrets am I guarding" he grunted sarcastically with a sneer.
"Our true identities" Harry said.
"Your…are you not the Master of Death?" Warwick asked carefully.
"Make no mistake, that is exactly who I am" Harry stated. "But I have another name as well. One I do now wish to be known associated with the Master or his Knights just yet" he told him.
Warwick looked at them all for a minute before nodding his head once.
With that, the three dropped their hoods easily.
Warwick stood in shock. He could definitely see why they would want this to stay hidden.
He couldn't even imagine the storm that would follow should the humans find out the Master of Death's identity. That the man alongside his supposed Death Knights who were the only to ever break someone out of Azkaban, the notorious Sirius Black no less and kill 16 guards along the way was the last suspected individual.
Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived.
####SCENE BREAK#####
Ron walked into the Dursley's bedroom to see Petunia crying as Vernon was trying to yell. The ginger started to laugh as he took in the scene Luna had set up.
All of the furniture was gone, save for some chairs she had brought up and put against the walls. Petunia Dursley was in a medium-sized metal cage, no longer bound as she sniffled and ate her bread and water pitifully.
Vernon Dursley was trying to yell as he was stationed in the middle of the room, tied up and put on an unlit spittle.
He had an apple in his mouth, unable to spit it out or bite down as slobber slipped over the shiny red surface.
Ron couldn't stop laughing at the fat man's predicament.
"I thought it was quite fitting" Luna light, enchanting tones come up behind Ron.
"Very fitting" Ron agreed.
"Do you think Harry will like it?" she asked idly.
"He'll love it Luna, so will the others. You know Hermione's especially fond of the cage" he commented, walking up and looking at it with affection.
Petunia looked at him with hopeful eyes making him snort.
"Don't look at me like that. I have no sympathy for people who did what you've been doing to a child" he spat making her flinch back. "My best mate and leader no less" he snarled before taking a deep breath.
He turned to Vernon and chuckled again. The red-faced walrus was glaring, but Ron relished at the hint of fear in those beady little eyes.
"I cannot wait…until we get to play with you" Ron drawled devilishly. It was significantly different from his relaxed speech pattern.
Luna giggled. "I want the Wizztingles to play with him" she cheered happily.
"You have to find them again first Luna" Ron reminded making her pout, but her jaw was set in determination.
"They are only the first of many, aren't they" was asked quietly after a moment. Ron simply looked at her. "That was an idiotic question, my apologies" the willowy blonde went to rectify.
"No worries, Luna" Ron assured. "But you're right, they are the first. First blood spilt by us. This time at least. The first casualties our side is responsible for in the war" he remarked as they walked to the hall.
"A war no one truly knows is on the rise" the blonde thoughtfully commented.
"There are many other people who have the strong hand of destruction coming their way" he went on.
"Hermione, Vivian, and I agreed" Luna said as they met Neville in the dining room where papers were strewn about. "We don't want it to be too quick, that's no fun" she told them far too innocently.
"You three are always making games out of things" Neville all but sighed, though he didn't speak harshly. "Though I was thinking… I don't believe it will be as easy as getting everything done in a few days anyway" was his input.
"We don't know what it would do to people's actions" Neville reestablished his worries. "We would lose valuable knowledge and even possible advantages" he explained.
"If that happened then we wouldn't get our second chance, not truly" Luna offered her own now anxious opinion. "But they have to be shown the errors of their ways. Do you really just want to give Lestrange a quick death?" she countered making Neville pause before his left brow ticked as his lips pursed.
"No…we wouldn't want that" Neville's whisper was quite dark.
"I suppose you're both right. A more strategized attack is needed" Ron admitted.
"I'm winning" Neville jumped in in a surprisingly childish manner making Luna giggle as Ron snorted.
"What are you winning?" Harry asked making them turn as the other three walked forward, having just shadowed in.
Vivian was playing with her maple wand. She was glad to have it back though it wasn't necessarily needed.
It was like reuniting with an old friend.
"The game of life" came Luna's cryptic answer clueing them in.
"Slow and steady" Harry caught on. "We're all going to win this time. We will be on top and our enemies won't even now it" he told them all.
"Not for a very long time" Hermione laughed before clearing her throat and grabbing it. "That could be problematic. I'll have to work on it" she mumbled to herself.
"Yeah, a few might think you're an ingredient short of a potion if you go around cackling at everything" Ron smirked widely with crossed arms.
"So eloquently put Ronald" Hermione huffed before turning to Vivian. "How do you put up with him" she asked making the others chuckle at his affronted face.
Harry loved it when they teased each other and had little fights. It reminded him of a better time. 'Like right now. Time travel and all' he realized as he watched with a head shake.
"Aw, but Mione" Vivian cooed going up to Ron and lightly squishing his freckled cheeks in her hands. "He's rather fit" she laughed making him roll his eyes as the others laughed.
"Ha, ha" Ron said, "Now can we please eat and wake the others?"
"Ron is hungry? Will wonders never cease?" Neville had to add his own joke getting more laughs. "That's a good idea though Ron. Why don't you start on the food while we finish everything else up?" Neville suggested.
Ron sent him an unamused look.
"Good form mate" Harry cheered, patting the red head's back as he moved up the stairs with Hermione and a laughing Vivian.
Neville and Luna set up comfortable chairs with wards and charms on it to keep Remus and Sirius stationed and unable to get up. Luna soundproofed the house before adding her own wards.
Some were very painful.
"Not even an elf could get in here" she announced.
"You're too smart at times" Neville complimented with an almost shy smile making her smile and turn away as pink dusted her moon pale cheeks.
Ron watched as he cooked, lopsided grin on his freckled face.
'Really hope they get a second chance as well' he thought. 'Should tell the others about it. Hermione and Viv will flip, no doubt' he noted.
"How's it coming" Harry asked, coming up next to him. "Smells good, like the roast your mum used to make" he said smiling.
"Faster with magic, though I think you were right. It has that extra touch when done the muggle way" Ron admitted. "They ready?"
"Just about, they're in the chairs now" Harry ran a hand through his unruly hair.
"Nervous" Ron asked, though it was more of a statement.
"Well…Vivian and I decided to tell them everything" Harry admitted and Ron put a hand on his shoulder.
"Harry, I can't say they won't be horrified. Hell, at one point long ago I was, even at myself" he acknowledged. "But I do know that no matter what, no matter absolutely what, Sirius and Remus love you like their own" he finished.
"And no, it doesn't matter that they haven't seen you for eleven years. You're their Prongslet, pure and simple. It's an instinct, they don't have to learn to love you. It's in their blood" Ron spoke with conviction.
"Vivian's right" Harry said with a small grin and misting eyes they both ignored. "You do always know what to say" he told him gratefully.
"A talent that has taken me years to perfect" Ron joked. "Now come on, we can't avoid it any longer" he said. "And Harry" he added before they walked out.
"Don't talk to them as the Master" he said as the raven-haired youth's best friend instead of second in command, "Be Harry, just Harry".
Harry nodded after a moment.
They walked out and Harry took a deep breath. It was comforting to see Vivian do the same as she looked at her adopted father.
As Luna helped Neville set the table Hermione took Harry's hand. Ron did the same for Vivian.
"It's time Harry" Hermione said gently and he smiled, nerves evident in his eyes.
With a snap of his fingers, they awoke.
"Wha-what's happening?" Remus asked eyes searching the room as anxiety was clear on his scarred, attractive face.
"Moony? Remus?" Sirius asked disoriented.
"Why am I next to him!?" Remus bellowed.
"Think Remus" Harry shouted catching his attention as Remus was taken aback at how alike James young Harry looked. "Do you really think Sirius would have betrayed my Mum and Dad? Sirius!? Just think about it for a moment" he scoffed.
"They said-" Remus started with pain all over his face.
"They lied" Vivian cut in. "They do it all the time. They lied! It was Peter" she revealed.
"No, Peter's dead…he would never" Remus denied, but the doubt was already showing in his eyes.
Doubt and, the most dangerous emotion for the older werewolf, hope.
Sirius was looking at him with tears, but Harry continued.
"Oh, but Sirius would? The man who lived with my father after being kicked out of his own home because he wouldn't be like them? The man who loved my father like a brother, my grandparents as his own parents. The man who became Padfoot so you wouldn't be alone during a change? The man who, through all of his faults and mistakes, loved his friends like no other" Harry said and Remus looked away, unable to take the truth in that green gazed glare.
He landed on a crying, malnourished Sirius, which was so much worse.
"That's the man you believe would join Voldemort" Harry noticed Remus' flinch. "To kill my father, James Potter and the woman James loved, Lily Evans. Is that what you're telling me" Harry asked.
Now Remus' lip trembled as tears began to fall from tired light green eyes.
"Albus said…" he trailed off.
"I would never" Sirius adamantly denied through his sobs. "I would rather die!" he shouted, bending his head forward as his body shook.
"I would rather die" he continued, "I wish I was dead" he sobbed.
"I don't" Harry said firmly. "I need you, both of you" he told them.
"Peter did it" Remus asked in a wisp of a voice. "But the finger, and Albus said that it had to be Sirius" he sniffed.
"Albus Dumbledore has his own agenda" Harry said before putting a hand up when Remus went to speak. "We'll get to that in a bit" he cut him off, "Right now, you need to realize that Sirius is innocent. And when we take that rat in".
"When we're done with him" Ron put in.
"We'll prove it" Harry finished.
"You know where he is" Sirius demanded, pupils dilating. His expression turned wild, tears still running down his haggard yet still handsome but worn face.
"Tell me!" he attempted to stand. So caught up in his revenge that Sirius didn't fully comprehend that he couldn't move.
"He's living as my pet. Been passing himself off as Scabbers for years" Ron announced clearly. "Don't worry, you'll get to see him before we give him to the Ministry" he promised.
Sirius leaned back, seemingly momentarily appeased at that.
"Sirius is innocent" Remus repeated trying to wrap his head around the lies of eleven years. "How did you bring us here? And get Sirius out of Azkaban? What is going on?" he shot off in rapid fire.
"A lot has happened in your twos absence" Harry said with some bitterness making Remus look away as Sirius looked at the boy sadly. Then he looked at Remus, confused as some of the things Harry said didn't add up.
'Remus wouldn't hurt Harry. What's been going on?' he wondered.
"Sirius'… I can understand that, somewhat. But you Remus" Harry said shaking his head. "I used to lay awake, in my bed under…" he pushed through the rush of emotions despite his internal curses.
This had to be done.
"In the cupboard under the stairs after being treated like a house elf. Nursing broken ribs and bruises" he disclosed making both men look at him in alarm as they became even more alert.
"I believed no one loved me. That I was a worthless freak. It wasn't until much later that learned you could have at the very least visited me, but you didn't. Why? Because you were ashamed? I grew up alone and abused thanks to your damn pride" he yelled the last bit as frustrated tears refused to fall.
Hermione squeezed his hand harder as Ron put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright Harry" Hermione said gently. "We have each other now" she told him, and he took calming breaths.
"Blame those bastards' upstairs mate" Ron told him.
"They'll pay Harry. And now there's time to make things right, for them too" Vivian promised.
"What" Sirius asked, panicked and angry as he looked at a shame faced Remus. "I thought you'd be taking care of him. Isn't this your house? Remus, you haven't been with him? ANSWER ME!" he yelled distressed as tears mingled with his desperation and fury.
More tears slipped down Remus' face. He was silent. No words could pass through him.
"This is the Dursley's house Sirius, my oh so caring family" Harry told him with obvious spite making Remus sniffle loudly as Sirius seemed to deflate in defeat, looking at Harry so brokenly.
Vivian looked at Remus and Sirius.
"You'll have to forgive us all. We've been through hell" she told them, and they noticed the obvious scars on her neck.
She shrugged with her bare arms up, more scars littered her there.
Remus recognized the scars brought on by silver.
He realized that this child was obviously a werewolf, and a tortured one at that.
Vivian tried to smile kindly which only drew attention to her teeth.
"What has happened to all of you?" Remus asked quietly while looking at the children as he and Sirius sat in worry and sorrow.
"Like she said" Harry answered once more in some semblance of control over himself. "We went through hell" he said before looking them both in the eyes. He spoke so seriously, so passionately that there was no room for doubt in their minds.
"And then we conquered it".
####SCENE BREAK#####
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office feeling almost out of place.
Something was wrong, yet he couldn't seem to put his finger on it. It was like whatever it was had slipped from his very memory.
The feeling was very frustrating.
He stood and made his way to his pensieve. Perhaps he would find the answers there.
His hands gripped the edges. He wasn't even sure where to begin searching for this missing feeling. He didn't even know what he was searching for!
"What is it?" he wondered. It was as if something was on the tip of his tongue. "Is there something I'm missing?" he asked the portraits that were watching.
"Probably something about the Potter boy. You've got an obsession with the poor lad" one said with a disgusted huff.
"Poor boy" another said, "Most he gets from you is lemon drops".
Ignoring their mutterings, Albus went over to the instruments on Harry. He was startled to notice that they were in fact broken! Two were black and cracked while the other was moving very slowly.
"How can this be?" he wondered. "Perhaps I should check" he spoke to himself.
"I told you he was obsessed. He wants to go riding off just to see what the boy is up to. Hope the lad wises up" the painting from before grumbled.
"Perhaps you're right Phineas" Albus agreed rubbing his long beard. "That might be too much. I shall write Harry instead. I'm sure that nothing serious is happening and the boy would enjoy a letter from me" he stated while ignoring the snorts from the walls.
"Dear Harry" he wrote and spoke out loud. "I hope this finds you well. Just wanted to check up on you lad. You are very important to me in ways you could never imagine, and I hope that you are having a lovely summer. Can't wait to see you the coming school year my boy, Albus Dumbledore" he said smiling as he started to make his way to the owlery.
The paintings watched with wide eyes.
"That" Phineas spoke up, "Was one of the creepiest things I have heard in this office…ever" he said, shaking himself free of the imagined chills.
####SCENE BREAK#####
Remus and Sirius were in shock.
Harry had just told them the most inconceivable, sick, depressing, and terrifying story either man had ever heard. That said a lot since both men had been through their own personal hells' multiple times over in their lives.
They desperately wanted to deny it, wanted to not believe it.
Scream, shout, and run from it.
But the truth was right in front of them, harshly thrown in their faces not letting them hide away.
"Why don't you two answer some questions for them" Neville said to Harry and Vivian. "We'll finish up the food, gather everything for…upstairs" he suggested getting a nod from Harry.
"Do you want us to stay?" Hermione asked Harry lowly. Ron was standing next to Vivian, obviously included in the question.
"More than you know, but I think it best if Vivian and I face this alone" he said, and she sighed before nodding and kissing his check. Ron did the same for Vivian.
They left with the others as Harry and Vivian shared a look.
"We understand that you have many questions. We will answer them all truthfully" Harry told them.
"Though you may not want to know many details" Vivian added, scratching her neck and licking the inside of her cheek making it look like she was baring her teeth on one side. "Sorry, bad habit" she muttered.
"Can I-" Remus started, looking at his apparent adopted daughter. "You said that I saved you and took you in. How did that all come about, if you don't mind me asking" he asked.
"You can ask me anything" she rushed out looking at him with such admiration, the like of which he had never seen aimed at his person before.
She took a deep breath and nodded to Harry who put a hand on her shoulder.
"When I was very small, I think around four, I had a run in with a monster" she started, swallowing as she looked off not meeting their eyes.
"My parents were strict, purebloods…I'm told" she explained, lips pulling back in a snarl as she tried to control herself. It was something both men noticed but decided to simply file away as they listened.
"I-I had thought something was under my bed. My father called me foolish. They said there were no monsters under the bed" she laughed bitterly. She finally locked eyes with Remus.
"They were wrong" she stated, and his own eyes held a knowing fear.
"There was a monster that night. A monster by the name of Fenrir Greyback" she hissed.
"He bit you" Remus said, trying to breathe.
"Eventually" she said with her upper lip twitching along with her thin nose.
"What else…" he trailed off. "Dear Merlin, no! Please! Tell me I'm wrong" his breathing picked up.
Sirius looked sick as he closed his eyes in horror before quickly opening them in order to avoid the horrific mental picture that attempted to overcome him. He desperately wanted to take the children into his arms and hide them away.
"You always were very quick" Vivian murmured reaching up and squeezing Harry's hand. "I don't remember all of it. I mainly know that I hurt in places that I shouldn't" she finished quietly, trying to keep the angry tears at bay.
"You got him in the end Viv" Harry reminded her in hopes of lifting the other girl's spirits.
It worked as she grinned in a truly wolfish manner.
"Yes, I did. So easy to capture too. Apex predator my arse" she snickered before catching herself.
"He developed an obsession for Viv" Harry filled the men in as they watched with emotional eyes. "He had tried to take her after he bit her but couldn't".
"Had the absurd idea that I was his 'mate'" she told them mocking the word. "Ron was livid" she said.
"What did your parents do?" Sirius asked lowly. He felt for the young girl who he apparently became close too.
He feared what he'd hear about Harry.
She laughed, loud and short, though there was no humor in it.
"My parents" she repeated bitterly. "They couldn't stand the thought of a creature, a beast as...someone called me. There were others there. Most of it is a blur besides a few terrifying aspects" she admitted.
"I remembered Greyback's face" she lifted one side of her lips in disgust and anger. "I can't remember their faces" she went on about her previous family. "Or much of before that night. Everything I had ever learned was thrown out. I couldn't even talk like a person anymore" she trailed off before blinking slowly.
"Apparently, they didn't want someone like me sullying their bloodline" she told them. "I don't even remember their names, or surname" she admitted. "Just my first name, Ripple kept it".
"Um" Vivian attempted to push past the deep sadness and anger that produced. "They sold me to a wizard who wanted to open his own circus. I was his first attraction" she said with a shrug.
She looked up again.
"People paid to see me hurt, beaten. Some to see a werewolf put in its place, others to see how fast I'd heal" she told them. "It was a painful existence on many levels" she told them.
She looked off at nothing again and they felt their stomachs drop.
"Then when I was twelve my owner realized how pretty I was." she sneered at her own wording. "I'm sure you can guess what happened after that" she spat.
"But not tonight, not this time" Harry sternly put in and she grinned again.
"I got him this time, before he could get me" she told the two men, sounding thrilled.
She inhaled deeply almost as if she was tasting the air.
She looked at Remus again with awed eyes again. "You saved me last time" she told him, shocking him.
"You were on some mission for the Order" she said. It was obvious she was fond of the story. "I was fourteen. You found me. You stopped the others from torturing me. You saved me. It was the first act of kindness I remember ever experiencing" she said slowly, looking away in shame when she teared up again.
"Please, go on" Remus pleaded. "If you're alright too" he added kindly.
"For a while I traveled with you, and you taught me so much. You taught me how to speak properly and how to write and read. Everything I needed for school, of any kind. Then you found out my talents in magic and you taught me more" she chuckled as if amazed.
"Eventually you brought me to Grimmauld Place. You and Sirius taught me so many things. The two of you cared about me like no one ever before. It was almost overwhelming" she gestured to herself.
Vivian seemed almost bashful. It really brought out her budding beauty and made her look like a normal child, for a brief moment.
"You showed me everything that would help me be…human. Sirius gave me the money for my wand. I met Harry that summer, before the others. He was upset too. We-we were almost like a family" she whispered.
She looked so wistful.
"It was wonderful" Harry added lost in his own thoughts.
"It was" she agreed giving a tearful genuine smile.
The smiles lit up both the children's faces.
"The three of you" she laughed, "You threw a fit when Dumbledore didn't think he could let me in the school. You swore I could catch up and he finally relented".
"You went to Hogwarts" Sirius asked. "Bet you made a great lion" he complimented giving a watery chuckle of his own.
"I bet you knocked all their socks off" Remus put his two cents in, swallowing thickly with his own smile.
Harry and she laughed.
"I was so scared at my sorting" she said, not answering. "I just wanted to make you all proud. I thought I'd lose you if I was sorted wrong" she said.
"There's no such thing" Remus said and she closed her eyes smiling.
"You said the same thing then" she admitted. "And then, I was sorted into Slytherin" she said, and Sirius' jaw dropped.
"And you did that" she laughed. "I was nervous you'd abandon me" she rushed out. "But Harry stayed by me" she said sending the blushing youth an appreciative look. "Remus told me that my house didn't define me" she looked at Sirius.
"You said that I reminded you of your cousin Andromeda, Andy as you called her. That it'd be nice to have another snake around that you didn't hate" she joked. Sirius chuckled before quieting down.
"Imagine Snape's distaste when he had someone with the last name Lupin, not to mention the same affliction in his house" she said, smile becoming more sarcastic.
"Snape" Sirius and Harry hissed together making Sirius look at Harry. Slowly, Harry smirked at his godfather.
"He was horrid to her, bastard" Harry all but tattled. "He was horrid to all of us, used to be Neville's boggart".
"What did he do?" Remus asked worriedly.
There was a warm feeling in his chest. He had to wonder if this was what parenthood was like, being protective and anxious over another. Was what he feeling parenthood? Or at least the beginning?
It reminded him of his school days.
"Well, you all had Albus make sure that he wouldn't tell anyone of my predicament, but it didn't matter. He had already ousted Remus when he was a teacher" she said once more shocking Remus of his future position.
He was also angered over Snape doing that to a child.
"But I didn't care what they said" she said hurriedly looking at Remus wanting him to understand.
"You made me proud to be who I was, no matter what I was" she said. "I had thought you were an angel when I first saw you" she admitted quietly with her own blush.
"You must have been very wronged if you thought that of me" he spoke embarrassedly looking down.
"You never give yourself enough credit" she said shaking her head. "You've always been my angel" she said making the older man's face redden.
"Snape told people about Remus" Sirius snarled locking onto that bit of information.
"He leaked it making sure Remus had to give up his teaching job" Harry said. "Which was rubbish. You were the best teacher we had" he told him making Remus smile shyly.
"And that was after I escape…next year?" Sirius clarified.
"The first and only man to do it" Harry said smirking, "As Padfoot".
"Of course, as Padfoot" Remus said, shaking his head. "Ruddy mutt" he said fondly as Sirius sent him a half smile.
'It's a start' Harry thought and Vivian nodded to him.
"What else did Snape do?" Sirius asked.
She shrugged, "He liked to point out that I was apparently too…broken, too tainted for Gryffindor and that Slytherin had to take me" she said as a few tears slipped, and her speech was affected by her throat tightening in remembrance.
Harry held her hand tighter.
"That bastard! Has to pick on kids. Can't be a man and fight people his own age" Sirius spat.
"He picked on you, a student. A child" Remus asked, not really surprised but still upset.
Harry smirked and Vivian chuckled.
"What is it?" Sirius asked. "Did we already say this?"
"No, well not really" she said clearing her throat. "You" she nodded to Sirius, "Wanted to fight him, but Albus stopped you. You threatened to expose his stained pants to the world again" she said trying to hold in a laugh with Harry.
"We know all about that too" Harry added and Remus flinched. "Don't feel too bad. You were kids. You were jerks, you made a mistake, but you grew up. He's an adult who decided to, instead of moving on, pick on his students and hold onto grudges" he assured them.
"Despite his little spy job that he's got going on" Vivian sniped under her breath, though they all heard.
They had much to talk about, but this time Harry was open minded and knew both sides of the story.
"Remus punched him" Vivian answered bluntly making Remus choke on his own spit.
"What?" he asked, and Sirius smiled proudly.
"Way to go Moony" he chuckled cheering for his old friend.
"You walked in during one of our potions classes. You didn't say a word at first" Vivian said with a smile. "Then simply punched him in his big nose".
"He went down quickly, you hit him hard" Harry said, sounding like he approved.
"You then screamed, 'If I hear you're attacking my daughter again you'll wish James had let you reach Moony when we were kids, you greasy arsehole" she said trying to imitate his deeper voice.
"I said that" Remus breathed out, running a hand through his prematurely greying blonde hair.
"It was one of the best moments in my life. I use it for my patronus to this day" she told him honestly.
Sirius was trying very hard not to laugh. Remus looked at him and groaned before finally starting to chuckle himself.
It was like a dam broke.
They all laughed for a little before slowly calming down.
"So, we were a family" Sirius reinstated happily before looking confused, "What went wrong?" he wondered.
"You died" Harry supplied bluntly with a glimpse of pain in both his and Vivian's gazes. "It all went downhill from there" he said cracking his neck. "By that bitch, Bellatrix" he snapped.
"We got her though, didn't we" Vivian repeated Harry's earlier words and he smiled.
"Yes, we did" he smirked.
"What did you do to her?" Sirius asked curiously. The two shared a look.
"Neville made her redeem herself for all of her sins" Harry said, "And Vivian handled Greyback".
"He deserved it all" she said passionately.
"For what he did to you?" Remus asked gently.
"For what he did to you" she said looking at him intensely. "What he did to you and T-your wife" she corrected when Harry cleared his throat. "What he did to your son…he was three. I couldn't save him in time. I tried!" she tried to get him to understand while looking around wildly.
"What he did to me and my…family" Remus said, trying to absorb that as Vivian stretched her mouth out.
"Vivian, calm down" Harry said.
Her breathing picked up and she growled. It was an inhuman noise. Her neck bent at an unnatural angle.
"It's not possible" Remus whispered unable to look away as he tried to understand what was happening. "It's not a full moon, this should not be happening".
"Vivian, control yourself" Harry ordered sternly. His voice was so commanding that the two adults found their own knees buckling unintentionally.
She growled lowly before taking a deep breath and relaxing, though her eyes stayed an amber hue.
"Sorry Harry" she mumbled.
"You're not used to it like this" he commented, showing he was simply worried for her being.
"What was that" Sirius asked wide eyed.
"I…had begun transforming without the moon" Vivian admitted showing her dangerous teeth again with her habitual mouth twitch. "Parts of me started to stay wolf. Hermione said had we not come back, I would have stayed a wolf without the possibility of turning human again" she finished.
"Dear Merlin" Remus breathed.
"And I'm sure the cannibalism didn't help" she admitted looking away.
"Cannibalism" Sirius sputtered choking.
"We told you, a lot of things happened. We aren't who we used to be. I'm afraid those people are almost gone now" Harry said looking down slightly. "Perhaps you'll still see them, from time to time. I'm not really sure" he hated to admit not knowing something. "But…we've been this way for a long time now" he said coming to Vivian's defense.
"You've killed people" Remus stated tensely.
"And enjoyed it" Harry said confidently.
They were all silent for a moment before Sirius spoke.
"I don't blame you" he told them, and Remus looked quickly at him.
"I don't. I want to kill Wormtail, I will kill the rat!" he shook of the crazed look that almost overtook him.
"I almost got Snape killed. The only reason I am sorry is because of what it would have done to you Remus and the bat didn't deserve it then. I think I can understand where you're coming from. More than Remus" he said, looking away from his old friend.
"Not by much more" Remus whispered looking down. "I've had…certain thoughts myself, but I've never acted" he admitted sharing a look with Sirius.
Both still couldn't believe they were looking at each other.
"Then this should make things easier" Harry clapped once and they looked at him. "Later" he waved off. "After you ask what you wanted to know. How I've been living" he knowingly voiced.
"It's not nearly as bad as Vivian's" he said and now it was her turn to take his hand in support. "Or yours Sirius" he said. "But it wasn't good" he told them.
"It's still bad Harry" Vivian said giving his hand a comforting squeeze. "I had an extreme. Don't minimize yourself" she repeated Hermione's past words making him sigh.
He didn't argue though.
"What did they do to you Harry?" Remus asked him sadly.
"I've always been denied the most basic of things. If I didn't sneak food, I would have probably died" he told them. "As I said before, I lived under the cupboards. I cooked and cleaned everything for them. If I did anything wrong, then I'd get locked away with no food. Hit with a frying pan or punched. Or worse" he said almost blank faced.
"I'm so sorry Prongslet" Sirius said. "I should never have let Hagrid take you" he told him.
"Hagrid should never have been there to begin with" Harry corrected him cuttingly before controlling himself.
"What do you mean? He was sent by Albus, wasn't he?" Remus needed clarification.
He just didn't know how clear they were about to make things.
"But why was he sent by Albus?" Harry countered, continuing when they seemed confused. "And how did Albus know to send Hagrid. I love Hagrid dearly, and honestly, he's quite powerful, but he wouldn't last if Voldemort was there" he pointed out.
"Why him? Why then? How did he know, and how did he know where to send him? Voldemort didn't break the Fidelius Charm. Pettigrew told him the location. He didn't have to break it" he explained with some patience.
"Merlin" Sirius muttered at the implications as Remus shook his head.
"No, Albus is a good man. He's done so much for the world, for us, for me" Remus kept repeating.
"My first letter was address to the cupboard under the stairs" Harry pointed out making Sirius groan in misery as Remus shook his head, renewed tears falling.
"He has done a lot of good" Harry said, "But he's also done a lot of bad" he told them. "Remus, there aren't any none humans going to the school. You and Vivian were the only werewolf children for a reason" he said.
"Because I was dangerous" Remus tried to be firm.
"How?" Harry asked, "The Shack was warded so you couldn't get out till you were older" Harry said. "At that point, you had Dad and Sirius to watch you. Not to mention Dumbledore and McGonagall" he said, intentionally not mentioning Peter.
"After I was sorted, Albus asked me if I wouldn't mind accompanying you to some of the werewolf packs to help try to turn them to his side. He knew my history with Greyback because I told you and he convinced me to tell him." Vivian revealed.
Her jaw clenched. "At the time I believed he could be trusted" she explained.
"We've all made that mistake Viv" Harry assured thinking of his own history.
Remus' eyes widened and his mouth dropped. "You didn't want me too, but he convinced you. That was when Fenrir saw me. He remembered me. Later after a different mission when I was older and with the Lestranges' help, he shoved a silver hoop in my lip to mark me…permanently" she told them.
"I could never get it out" she forced Remus to keep eye contact with her. "Albus still insisted I go back" she said making Remus' head fall forward upset.
His shoulders shook from the strength of his tears.
"After I became a Death Knight, I left it in because I knew it made me look frightening to both humans and other wolves. Even vampires fled from me! But it was still a reminder of Greyback, even if I used it for my own purposes" she told him.
"Why? That pack is evil. Greyback is evil. You're just a child" Remus asked in anguish. "Silver burns. Why would you leave it in" he asked, even if she had answered the last question. Sirius closed his eyes trying to battle tears.
'In a sense, the ring did serve other purposes later. Now that they were back, I'm sure we'll find other ways, less painful ways to reach the same goals' she thought.
Harry, as if reading her mind, which he might have been, turned and gave her an almost barely noticeable nod.
"Because Albus is all about the bigger picture" Harry decided to answer Remus, "He would sacrifice all of us to kill Voldemort".
"He tried to sacrifice all of us" Vivian added.
"A lot of good people died because he decided that saving the soul of one Death Eater student was more important than all the others. Good people died because he decided that only he was allowed to know the truth. That everyone was expendable as long as Voldemort was done for in the end" he told them.
"But he doesn't know the right way. The true path" Vivian said, "He made mistakes. We won't, we know. Unlike him, we…are…Gods" she growled.
The men saw the dark look on both kids' faces.
"Gods?" Sirius asked shakily.
Harry smirked and snapped his fingers. The room changed to look like something the God Hade's throne room would be possibly dictated in art.
Harry had seen a drawing of such a place once and became inspired.
Though this throne room was more in everyone's mind. He'd have to wait to go back to the real deal and sculpt it to his liking.
"We don't need wands" he told them.
"We don't need most spells or to even say them aloud" Vivian spoke.
"We crushed every opposition. We didn't just rule magical Britain. We were taking it all" Harry put in. "We were this close to becoming completely heartless, our morals shrinking every day".
"But that's why we came back" Vivian looked back and forth between them. "We didn't want to be like that…not completely anyway" she added as once more they were back in the Dursley's living room.
"What do you mean completely" Remus asked with an uneasy feeling.
"We are who we are Remus" Harry was unapologetic, "Though we may wish for our past innocence, there is no going back from some of the things we've done. No real change, on many levels we already knew that".
"We just hoped we could have…." Vivian stopped herself. "You were the real reason we came back anyway. That and…we thought it would stop us from completely turning into them if you were still around" she tried to explain.
"It sounds silly saying it now with what we plan on doing but we had hoped to still save our souls" Harry added as they both looked anywhere but the two men.
"What do you plan to do?" Remus asked quietly.
"You know the answer to that Remus" Harry answered not looking up.
"You don't have too" Sirius offered weakly.
"Yes, we do. We've tried the other way; it ended in disaster. We didn't come back for the same future" Vivian's tone was firm.
"We could help" Sirius said making them all look at him.
"You would kill people? Slowly? Sometimes just torture them until they beg for death, which you don't deliver?" Harry describes measuredly.
"I will do anything you need me to Harry" Sirius answered quickly, surprising Remus. "I won't leave you again. I made that mistake once and I've regretted every moment since" he told him with sincerity in his wild grey eyes.
Harry cracked a smile.
"You don't know how happy that makes me Sirius" he told him.
"What about you Remus?" Vivian asked, "We won't hate you, or hurt you if you say no" she felt the need to assure. "We could never hurt you" she promised with sincerity in her deep green eyes.
Remus looked at them in thought. He was ashamed he had never looked for Harry, though he often wanted to. He had taken Albus' word that it was best if he stayed away. Remus let the man he was so grateful to, and his own pride and pain, blind him.
He had abandoned his cub, and Sirius. The only pack, the only family he had left.
He knew that it was because of his missions that he had started to be iced out of the know. Albus told him not to speak to the others about his assigned tasks.
'I should have told them anyway' he thought bitterly. 'Harry's right. How could I think it was Sirius? Out of everyone, Sirius!?' he accused himself.
He thought of everything they had told him, about themselves, the future. Everything.
He looked at his brother, he looked at his nephew, then he looked at his apparent daughter. True, this was the first time he was meeting the girl, this time, but he couldn't deny the spark inside insisting he protect her.
Despite his insecurities about how she'd be better without him.
'Another cub' he thought. Apparently, he felt it once so it wasn't odd to think that he would feel it again.
'This is my family' his mind told him, feeling a throb in his chest. 'I've been alone for so long when I didn't need to be, not really' he told himself. 'This is my chance to make things right, it's all of our chance'.
'But can I kill and torture people? Go against Dumbledore?' he wondered. He looked at Sirius again before looking at Harry. 'So like James, but those are Lily's eyes all the way' he thought, gaining a small wistful smile.
'They aren't trying to force me' he reminded himself, 'They've been through so much. They need someone to keep them grounded, a different viewpoint' he rationalized with himself. 'That definitely won't be Sirius' he already knew. He didn't think his friend had it in him to deny the kids anything. Especially with how Sirius kept muttering about finding Peter. Even if Remus had to agree with his best mate.
'They need my help, not just in fixing things like they wanted. They need help finding themselves again, even if they believe it's just wishful thinking' Remus found his mind swirling.
"I'll do it" he spoke out loud actually taking them aback a little. The had expected Remus to disapprove, stay with them but not want to know what they were going to do.
Even try to divert their actions.
He wasn't as reckless nor completely maddened as the Remus from their future. He hadn't had been down that road.
This was an unexpected yet pleasant shock.
"Do you really mean that Remus?" Harry asked. "This isn't something to be taken lightly. You can't promise this out of guilt and then want to turn back. You don't have to. You can be a part of this family and not be a part of what we do" he said offering him an out.
Remus shook his head, "No Harry, I want to do this. I want to help you anyway I can. I can't promise that I won't be difficult at times or that I won't need someone to knock some sense into me every now and then".
"I can help with that" Sirius offered, a mere glimpse of his old self shining through as Remus shot him a look. "I've got experience in it" he joked, somewhat hesitantly.
There was the beginning of the flame that was so familiar in his handsome eyes that he had always in his youth. It was barely there, but they saw it.
Hopefully they could help it grow again.
"But I can promise that I will never reveal your secrets. I will stay loyal to you till the end of my life, longer if permitted. I will watch over all of you and do my very best to help you in any way possible. I promise not to be a coward anymore and to never leave you, any of you" Remus went on with conviction.
There was a flash of golden light.
"Did he just-?" Vivian asked mouth ajar.
"Yes, he did" Harry said.
"I promise that too" Sirius gushed out and there was another bang and flash.
"Holy shite" Vivian swore, sharing a wide-eyed look with Harry.
"What was that?" Ron asked running in with the others.
"Did someone try to get in?" Neville asked ready to fight.
"Nonsense, there's not enough blood" Luna protested.
"They made a declaration; magic recognized it and took it as a vow. I read about this" Hermione guessed with wide, knowledgeable brown orbs.
"That one" Harry said, pointing to Hermione as the others joined them. Hermione sat on Harry's lap as Ron took a seat next to Vivian while Luna and Neville took the last two chairs.
"So, this is the brightest witch of her age?" Sirius asked, smiling at Hermione who grinned.
"It's good to see you again Sirius" she told him as the others echoed her.
"Right good to see you Professor" Ron said to Remus. "This one never stopped talking about you" he teased Vivian who laughed when Hermione leaned over and lightly slapped the back of his head.
"Well maybe now you'll shut it about your Mum's cooking…if the woman likes me this time" Vivian shot back.
"She adores you, er well she will" he told her.
"Oh yes" Vivian said with a smirk. "Fleur and I were some of her favorite people" Vivian said and he hung his head defeated making the others laugh.
Sirius and Remus watched almost dazed. It was so strange how they interacted. Yet it was also so natural seeming.
"Um, why can't I get up?" Sirius noticed.
"Opps" Harry said, and the men were able to leave their chairs. "Now, I hope you don't find it in bad taste, but I had set up a little initiation sort of trial for you. It was meant to prove your commitment. But I don't think it's necessary any longer" he went to suggest.
"Can we play with them then" Hermione asked as the two men noticed her sweet brown eyes take on an insane glint.
"I'll do it" the men said at the same time before looking at each other than facing the others.
"Are you sure?" Neville asked with a raised brow, "You really don't have to".
They smiled at him, seeing so much of Frank and Alice.
One could easily tell whose boy the slightly rounded blonde was.
It was amazing that they were looking at a bunch of twelve-year-olds. Though they were without a doubt some of the most powerful children, if not the most powerful people the men had ever seen.
And they had only witnessed a mere glimpse.
"We're sure" Remus said taking a deep breath before giving Sirius a tentative smile. He was relieved and overjoyed when Sirius returned it.
Sirius nodded, "He's right, we want to do this. Who is it?" he asked, and the children smirked.
Sirius was smart, already guessing what the task was.
"The Dursleys" Harry said, "Only my Aunt and Uncle. We thought you would like to…teach them a lesson for what they did to me. What they said about Mum and Dad" he tantalized noticing both men's jaw clenched.
"I think we would very much appreciate that, wouldn't we Mr. Moony" Sirius found himself saying, almost baring his teeth.
"Yes, we would Mr. Padfoot" Remus returned. His own lips in a tight thin line.
"Well then let's go up, shall we?" Hermione asked. "After that, you two could eat and have a proper shower as we tell you what we've done since back" she said.
"Besides getting Remus and breaking me out of prison" Sirius asked feeling a little stunned.
"Oh, that was yesterday. Time goes on" Harry joked.
"I wish we had picked up Bellatrix, or at least one of the Lestrange brothers" Neville sighed with a wistful look.
"Soon enough Neville" Luna assured him.
"I can't wait to get Greyback again, maybe play a game of who's the better predator" Vivian snickered.
"I-I think I would very much like to see that" Remus added quietly and she looked at him for a moment before grinning.
"We have much to talk about…Dad" she said, and he couldn't stop the small smile from finding its way on his face before he blushed and looked down.
"Much indeed" he agreed.
They walked up letting Luna lead the way before they made it to the master bedroom. The children all chuckled, though it wasn't light as a child's laugh should be.
The sound reminded the men of the chill, the fear that one gained when walking alone at night in an unknown territory.
"Everyone, grab a seat" Harry ordered. "Sirius, Remus, would you prefer if one of us got it going and then you can jump in?" Harry asked.
Sirius nodded as Remus looked at the now scared couple, though Vernon continued to try to shout abuse through his apple.
"I wish we had some Veritaserum" Remus mumbled.
"We do" Hermione eagerly jumped up. She went over to a little oak box digging around inside. "Do you want the regular batch, or our…perfected ones?" she asked silkily.
"Perfected?" Sirius asked as he got used to standing straight up. Neville handed him some water which he was thankful for.
He was still largely malnourished. He had suspicious wounds on him as well.
The younger group planned on finding the truth about that, there was no doubt. No excuses or getting around the truth. They hoped that at least some of the guards they had killed had been responsible. If there were others… Well, the children would find them.
They thought Remus could do with a little more care as well.
"It has an unpleasant side effect if they try to lie" Ron explained. "We'll know when they're trying to lie, though they of course won't be able to. Girls are bloody brilliant" he added.
"I thought so too at your age, though for different reasons" Sirius joked.
"Oh, I think that too" Ron said with a smirk. "And I'm married to one of the fittest ones" he added with a wink before going to Vivian.
"Who gets to play with them then?" Vivian asked with a smirk.
"I think it should be Hermione, leaders first" Luna said and they nodded. "All hail the Queen" she added.
Remus and Sirius thought she was teasing, but realized she wasn't at their nods as they echoed her.
Hermione looked at the men before turning to the tied adults with a frightening grin. She went to Petunia first as Neville moved them to stiff chairs.
"Are you weady to pway" Hermione cackled in a baby voice.
"Just so you know" Ron whispered, having seen Remus and Sirius' whitened faces.
"I know she may remind you of, let's just say someone. We had it pointed out that we all do. I would suggest you just keep it to yourself, at least till a later date" he wisely advised. Though not in a truly threatening manner and they nodded understanding.
It was a friendly warning from the red head to not accidentally insult them and hurt one of their feelings.
"What are you going to do?" Petunia asked in a trembling voice as she watched the girl advance.
When she had first seen the men, who looked vaguely familiar she had thought she was saved. Her heart had sunk when she realized that they seemed to be working with the demon children.
"Demons?" Harry snorted and Petunia looked at him in fright. "You need to be more original Auntie" he taunted.
"How did you know I thought that" she demanded, and he simply smirked. "Tell me", she screeched before crying out in shock when Hermione slapped her on the cheek.
Hard.
"Do not ever speak to my Harry like that" Hermione hissed dangerously.
Petunia looked at her as she started to shake.
"Now, are you going to be a good little pig and drink this or do I have to call the big bad wolf" Hermione asked.
"That's me" Vivian said helpfully with a toothy grin that was not lost on Petunia or Vernon. She winked and used a still long nail to pick at her teeth.
Remus saw she had crescent moon shaped scars on her palms. He guessed it was from using her fists and her nails impaling the flesh. He shook his head over the lives these children had.
He had yet to hear about the other four, but he knew he would in time. He only hoped that it wasn't as tragic as Vivian's and Harry's.
Sirius was thinking the same thing.
"What will it do? I won't drink any of your freaky poisons" Petunia spat in fear making the others laugh.
"Wolf it is" Hermione said. "Vivian" she called.
Vivian slowly made her way around the room, green eyes that slowly bled amber locked onto Petunia the whole time.
"Why are your eyes like that" Petunia demanded shakily as her natural instincts said to not take her gaze off of the girl.
Vivian's smirk widened, almost too wide making her teeth reflect in the candlelight along with her eyes.
"The better to see you with dearie" she taunted making the others snicker.
Ron shifted in his seat, trying not to reveal how the sight of his wife like that affected his body.
The others knew and their snickers doubled.
That didn't mean he wanted to show it for them all to see…again. Well, his younger self's embarrassment didn't want them to see.
Even still he couldn't take his heated gaze off of her.
"Wh-What big teeth you have" Petunia couldn't stop herself from saying and Harry chuckled as he watched his sister get into it.
Vivian licked her lips, eyes wide as her head was tilted sideways.
"The better to eat you with" she growled out, still smiling.
"Dear God" Petunia said as she began shaking harder.
"God is a bit too formal" Vivian snarked, "They call me Viv, but I doubt you'll even get the chance to say that" she said.
"Why is that" Petunia stuttered out. Vivian looked at her like she was an idiot.
"It's kind of hard to talk when I've ripped your throat out. At least, that's how the others made it seem" she informed her with a sinister chuckle, moving her head side to side in a mock thinking gesture.
"The ones that survived at least" Hermione added.
"No, no please" Petunia pleaded as she tried to get out of her chair earning more laughter. "You're evil" she spat tearfully.
"Maybe" Hermione said shrugging. "And I think you had a hand in that, at least a small one" she said motioning to Harry who was still smirking.
"Vivian" Hermione said and in a flash, Vivian was behind Petunia with her head in her hands as she painfully forced her mouth opened.
The horse like woman cried out as her jaw bled from where Vivian dug in her claws.
"Thank you" Hermione grinned.
"You nasty little girl" Petunia tried to yell at Hermione before crying out when Vivian stretched her mouth as far as it would go without breaking it.
"You respect your betters, filth" she hissed. "Never talk to our Mistress like that!"
"Ahh" Petunia cried out.
"Thank you, Vivian. Now say ahh" Hermione said before forcing half of the small bottle's contents down the foul woman's throat.
Vivian held her mouth shut with some fingers over her nose before she was forced to swallow.
"I would suggest you don't try to lie, but I really want you to" Vivian said making Hermione cackle.
"Sirius, Remus, why don't you ask her some questions" Hermione suggested.
The two stood then walked slightly closer.
It was quiet for a moment as they tried to figure out how to proceed. Finally, Sirius took charge.
"Did you beat Harry" Sirius asked automatically. He sent Harry a look, relieved when his godson nodded at him. He didn't want Harry to think he didn't believe him.
Petunia tried to stay silent as her eyes darted around, earning snickers.
"Ahhh" she screamed, doubling over. "God, no! Please" she shrieked as her nose started to bleed.
"I take it she was thinking of lying?" Remus asked.
"Right in one" Neville replied, baby face looking as if it was made of stone.
"Do you want to try that again?" Sirius asked with obvious growing rage, and she shook her head crying before answering.
"Yes, I beat him. But not as much as Vernon" she said trying to throw the fat man under the bus.
"We'll get to him" Remus said coldly. "How did you hurt Harry" he demanded.
"I'd hit him with a frying pan, tell Vernon to hit him. Not give him food. I tried to burn him once" she listed crying.
"Save your tears" Ron said, "It's going to be a lengthy night" he warned her.
"I need a wand" Sirius burst out. "I want a wand to use on her" Sirius said as Luna got him one and gave Remus his back.
"Wait, if we use magic here the Ministry will know" Remus said and Petunia looked up in hope making Harry laugh cruelly.
"They can't tell what's happening in the house right now" Harry assured him. "They can't track wandless magic, unless done by an elf" he added slightly bitterly. "But we've put on wards to be sure. Nothing and I mean nothing that happens in here will be known by anyone we don't want" he promised.
"In that case" Remus said, bowing in a go-ahead motion to Sirius.
Sirius held the wand, feeling the magic course through him. "Is-is this my wand Harry?" he asked in astonishment.
"You can thank Neville for that" Harry gestured his head to the other boy.
Sirius looked at the pudgy blonde in astonishment.
"The idiot of a warden had it in his office like some sort of trophy" Neville said, blushing at the look though he stood tall. "I simply liberated him of that delusional notion" he told them.
"Frank and Alice's boy" Sirius said, and Neville looked at him. "Oh yes, I can tell. You look a bit like Frank, though I see you got your Mum's cunning" he said with a slight chuckle.
Neville looked down as he smiled.
"Well thank you for this" Sirius said before turning back to Petunia. "Do you remember us Tunny" he asked, and she looked at him with hate, gasping. "That's right. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. James and Lily's friends" he spat at her.
"And we're going to deal with you, for James and Lily" Remus told her.
"No, no he deserved- Ahhh!" she screamed again as blood pooled out of her mouth.
"See, even you don't believe that" Hermione taunted. "My Harry is one of the sweetest people I know. How he came from you, I'll never know" she hissed.
"I was sweet, now look at me. Maybe I'm more like my dear relatives than I thought" Harry lightly joked, seemingly unaffected by it.
"You've never hurt a child" Hermione told him suddenly serious, "You've done some dark things. But not to innocent children" she said.
"Yeah, we didn't even touch Draco till we were Knights, and he was a murderer" Ron added before Hermione smacked his arm. "Bloody hell woman" he muttered.
"They're right Harry, even after all you told us it seemed there was still a line and when you feared you were going to cross it, you came back" Remus offered his own comfort.
"Don't let them poison you Harry" Sirius said. "Trust me, I know about not fitting in with your family. But they aren't family, not really. What you've got here, your friends. They are family, Remus and I are family, if you'll have us. You just happen to share some blood with these pigs".
Harry smiled at him with eyes slightly sad but grateful.
"Thank you, Sirius, and you know we'll have you. You're already family, now it's just about you two settling in and getting to know us…again" he said with a breathy chuckle at the end.
"Looking forward to it Prongslet" Sirius said gently before turning back to Petunia. "I find myself looking forward to this as well. The only thing better would be getting Wormtail" he said with a twitch.
"We'll deal with him together Pads" Remus said and Sirius smiled. His smile looked demented as Remus looked at Petunia with extreme frost, almost as if he had lost the ability to feel when looking at her.
The children watched, fascinated in the change in the men. Changes they had only had glances of before.
Sirius' madness, the Black madness he had called it.
Remus' ability to almost turn off his emotions and become as cold as ice, more than willing to let Sirius do major damage to someone.
He had shown a bit of that before Tonks and Teddy were taken from him. Then he had simply gone mad. Though, he had gained back some sanity when dying in Vivian's arms, glad that she was the last thing he'd see. His daughter.
It was something that the children thought they should all talk about and explore eventually.
"Right now, we have filth to deal with" Remus spat at Petunia who flinched. "You're lucky it's not the full moon" he threatened.
"I can help with that. I don't mind the pain" Vivian piped up.
"Later, after I've had time to research to make sure you can turn back" Hermione ordered. Vivian bowed her head.
"Don't try to turn without the moon till I tell you, and no eating people" Hermione ordered.
Vivian huffed but gave a nod.
"Fine, suppose I'll have to be creative" Vivian said, "Or just chew on them a bit" she mentioned hopefully making the other girl raise a brow. "I won't swallow, promise" she swore making Hermione roll her eyes.
"Can I proceed?" Sirius asked and the girls blushed. "Thank you" he said, "Now let's see. What was the worst thing you did to my godson" he asked.
"I hit him with a frying pan that was still hot. He has a burn mark from it still" she answered, looking at the ground miserably.
"Well then, I suppose we know where we're starting" Sirius said, raising his wand.
"Just don't kill them" Harry said, smirking when Aunt Petunia looked at him. "Yet" he finished.
Remus and Sirius nodded, now both aiming their wands.
"You ready Pads?" Remus asked unsympathetically.
"More ready than you know Moons, old boy" Sirius said with an eye twitch. "Let's make some piggies squeal".
A/N: What did you think? Yes, I know certain relationships are growing fast. I expand on them more, don't worry. For Snape lovers, I don't hate Snape and have stories in the wing for him. I don't even really hate Albus...alot. I have other stories where he's an actual good guy from start to finish. We'll have to see how this one goes for Snape and Albus this time around. Next chapter has; old friends, old 'friends', and much more. Review, ask, or suggest if you'd like. Until next time, have a great day.