A/N: Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling
heads up - I posted this chapter straight after the previous one, so people may just click on the most recent email alert if you're following and then be a bit confused - so just make sure you're read chapter six or you may be a bit confused :)
Chapter Seven: Right vs Wrong
Harry had never attended a funeral, but he imagined the atmosphere must be quite similiar to that of the large oval office belonging to the Hogwarts' Headmaster this morning, and he wondered what other than his family's honour died today.
Sirius and Remus were sat in front of Professor Dumbledore, a seat in between them empty and Harry walked over to it. He wondered where Professor Snape had gone, but he was no longer there.
"Apologies for the activity this morning, Mr Potter. It was not how I would have wanted this meeting to happen."
Harry frowned, unsure what that meant. Why would the headmaster of Hogwarts expect a meeting with him?
He glanced to Sirius, whose haughty features were riddled with an expression Harry didn't think he had seen on his godfather before, and he couldn't define it. "I'm sorry for not telling you about this competition, or that I will be at Hogwarts this year." Harry figured demanding what possessed Sirius to get into a physical fight with Daphne's uncle was not the best way to proceed, and better to get his apologies out of the way.
Sirius blinked into attention, whilst he hadn't got a scratch in the fight, his white formal shirt was half open, the top three buttons torn off, the black ink of the tattoo over his heart half-visible. Harry stared at the tiny doe, its stag counterpart hidden beneath the cotton, the half-sun and half-moon in their centre.
Sirius remained silent, and Harry wondered whether he was just never going to talk to him again. He glanced to Remus, Harry's eyes widening at the grave expression on his uncle's face.
Had someone died?
"Perhaps we can have this conversation this evening. Sirius, you must be tired. I can speak to Aberforth, have rooms prepared for you."
Still no response. Harry reached across and gently touched his godfather, who snapped up as if he had shoved him. He straightened in his chair as if he had been slouching, "Harry. We need to talk."
Harry nodded, glancing at Professor Dumbledore, shouldn't they talk in private?
"Perhaps we talk after." Remus glanced at Sirius, clear concern on his face, "We have some memories prepared that should explain everything fairly well."
Harry had only been into a Pensieve once on his twelfth birthday. Sirius and Remus had a rule that even though he had access to memories of his parents through them, that it was not good for any of them to fixate on the past. But it was his one and only request for his birthday that year, so they had picked a few minutes of his parents wedding day for him to experience, justifying that if he were a muggle, it would have been as if he watched a tape recording of the event.
Somehow, Harry didn't think what he was going to view was going to fill him with the same painful joy.
He followed Remus to the pensieve, glancing back at Sirius still sat on the chair. Harry hesitated, whatever happened between him and Daphne's uncle, his godfather was clearly going through something and he didn't want to leave him alone right now.
"We could do this later, Sirius?"
At Harry's suggestion, he rose to his feet, shaking his head, "No, now." Was all he said, walking over to him with sudden determined strides.
Harry looked back at Albus Dumbledore, offering him a reassuring smile, still sat at his desk. He wouldn't be joining them it would appear.
Harry expected Sirius to be as hesitant in touching the dancing silver streams in the stone basin as he had been through this whole conversation, but it was quite the opposite. He plunged his hand in almost aggressively, applying a quick like a band-aid approach to what Harry could only expect to be painful memories, and he and Remus joined his godfather into the Pensieve.
When the scene settled, Harry glanced around, realising he was stood in a familiar room.
He was in the middle of the Sabre's living room, the sunlight streaming through the large glass doors of their Parisian penthouse apartment.
It was a beautiful summer day, and there was tinkling laughter behind him, and he turned, surprised at the light-hearted scene before him, expecting something horrific from his guardians trepidation.
A younger Baron Sabre was sat on a sofa, next to a very pregnant Lily Potter. Harry's father, James, was carrying a baby, and Sirius had a matching one in his arms. That must be Selina and Silvain, they were two months older than Harry.
"I can't wait till we have another one." James Potter smiled at the babe in his arms who was currently trying to snatch his square frames.
"Can you at least wait till this one has hatched, please and thank you." Harry's mother rolled her eyes, but smiled at Baron, "Though your two really make me want twins next."
"I don't care how many we have next, but I just want a little girl. A little blonde baby girl. Yes I do." James had been baby talking to Selina in his arms, her hair even fairer and curlier than her dark blonde stylish hairstyle she now wore, but her eyes shimmered the same way as it did now when she was amused.
"Oh, well, good luck meeting your blonde second wife." Lily huffed and her husband laughed.
"Lil's, your sister is blonde."
"Well if you want to have a baby with my sister-"
"Nobody said anything about impregnating Petunia Dursley." James hastened to his wife's side and Harry was glad to know his foot in mouth syndrome was heriditary, "I just meant there's clearly some blonde genes in your family. Though, I am of course basing this on little Harry having flaming red hair like his mummy."
James bent and gave her a large peck on the forehead and she pouted up at him.
"Oh I don't know, I think little Harry will look just like you. I've asked the Universe for him to be just that, and it owes me one." She grumbled, looking at the ceiling with sincere annoyance at the world for some reason. James smiled sadly, closing his eyes and planting another kiss on his wife's head.
Harry's heart soared, it was a comfort to know one came from such love.
"I think we should have triplets next. A nice even four for the price of two pregnancies." Silvain was currently latching onto Sirius' chin. His godfather had a tastefully rugged look on his younger face, and the baby was enjoying the feel of his pudgy hand against the sharp facial hair.
"Perfect, you can take the next pregnancy then!" Lily mock scowled at her huband's best friend just as there was a sharp knock on the door.
Baron stood, wand in hand, and Harry realised everyone had done the same. "Maybe Rosalie forgot her keys."
He crossed over, opening the door but Harry stayed near his parents. James had passed Selina to Lily, and had taken Baron's seat, whispering into his wife's large belly.
"Rory!" Sirius' exclamation pulled Harry's attention away, and he watched as a woman who was the replica of Daphne walk into the room. She smiled at Sirius, and Harry just realised she had a baby in her arms. "What are you…"
James had got to his feet, standing in front of Lily, his wand pointed at what myst be Daphne's mother, who looked at Harry's father with a heartbroken expression.
"James." She said the one pleading word, and his father lowered his wand as Sirius crossed over to Daphne's mother.
"I don't understand. I thought…is that… Daphne?"
Rory nodded, as Baron relieved Sirius of his daughter, so that Rory could pass Daphne over to Sirius whose hands were held out expectantly.
Harry watched as his godfather's face softened from its alert expression, and registered how comfortable he was with the baby. He glanced around the room, they must all be just about twenty…but they were mature beyond their years, the war murdering their youth.
"She's gorgeous. She's you in miniature."
"Almost. She has her father's eyes."
And Harry just noticed that was true, Rory's eyes were grey, like her brother's, Daphne's uncle, Lucius Malfoy.
"Why don't we give you two some privacy." Lily attempted to get off the sofa but Sirius quickly turned.
"Nonsense, you sit right there. We'll go outside." He gestured at the balcony with a cock of his head and Rory followed him as James took baby Daphne from him.
"Well what do you know. A little blonde baby girl." James glanced at the ceiling, "Why thank you, Universe."
Rory had stopped on her way outside to give Lily a kiss on the cheek. Harry observed the tenderness in the exchange, the familiarity.
Daphne's mother and his were friends?
Harry knew he had to follow Sirius, this afterall, must be his memory, but he looked at his parents entertaining baby Daphne right until he stepped outside.
"How did you know I'll be here?"
Harry noticed the change in Sirius' voice, now sharp. Rory hugged herself, and Harry thought she looked so much like Daphne had done a few minutes ago, but she was much shorter.
"I heard about Charlus Potter and Aizen Shafiq. I heard a dozen death eaters attacked them, and they took about half of them with them, that Voldemort himself got Charlus."
"Thanks to your brother." Sirius spat out, "Did you hear that part? He led the attack on Potter Manor. We only just made it out thanks to Charlus and Aizen." Clearly the baby in her arms had been a talisman against his fury, and with Daphne gone, Sirius' face was hard.
She swallowed, and then nodded, "I just found out. Daniel and I have been in France as well, Bella Île, my last trimester was a bit tricky so he thought some seaside and fresh air would be good."
"Isn't he a Healer? Can't he do more than atmospheric alterations to help you." Harry noticed unkindness in his godfather's voice.
"I think it was an excuse to get out of the country."
"Oh, so he needs an excuse to leave England now, does he? Do you?"
Rory's lips thinned into a straight line, "Are you seriously asking me if I am a death eater?"
"Are you surprised. Your brother is his right hand man now that your father's dead."
"A title he inherited, he had no choice-"
"DO NOT SPEAK TO ME ABOUT CHOICES!" Sirius slammed his hand on the balustrade, his face turning red so quickly, and his hand covering his mouth almost to stop himself from shouting, "You think it was easy defying my family! You think I enjoyed it when my mother turned her wand on me? You think I like being called a traitor to my blood? You have two options, the right one, and the wrong one. If you've come here to defend-"
"I've not!" She stepped forward, "I've not come here to defend Lucius, or his actions. I just ask you not to blame me for his, anymore than anybody should blame you for Regulus'." They were now both facing the Parisian skyline, a site Harry had been so familiar with that he ignored the beautiful scenery and just staired at this heartbroken pair. "How is James doing?"
Sirius glanced back to where his friends were, "Lily's pregnant. She read somewhere that crying isn't good for the baby. Prongs thinks that means he can't either, in solidarity. He keeps busy, which to be fair with newborn twins in the house hasn't been hard to do."
"And you?" She reached a hand out to him, hesitated, and then put it back down. "Charlus was like a father to you."
Sirius didn't speak. Rory moved closer to him, placing her hand on his heart and he turned towards her, facing her once again, placing his hand on hers. They were silent for a whole minute, and Harry couldn't help thinking how beautiful they looked. He glanced at the older Sirius, who was staring at Rory with such love that Harry felt an intruder looking at him, so looked back at younger Sirius.
"I coulnd't do another second of it." Rory's voice was soft, and Harry stepped closer.
"What? Being married to Daniel?"
She shook her head, and her eyes filled with tears, "Not being with you."
"Aurora." Sirius whispered, his face falling into a mask of pain, " Rory, we can't do this again. I've said-"
"And I listened. And I'm here. I'm here."
"You may never speak to your brother again. Do you understand that? You can't speak to my brother either. I know he is your best friend, but you can't. We don't know how bad the situation is, but I'm not risking my family's life." Sirius gestured inside, to Harry's parents, and Rory nodded.
"I know. I couldn't do it before, but Lucius. I don't know what he has become. I can't help him. Or Reg. I've not come for a visit, I've come to stay, Sirius. If you'll have me. If you'll have us?" A single tear rolled down her face and Sirius stepped up to her and pulled her into a deep kiss.
Harry looked away, processing what he just witnessed.
Sirius and Daphne's mother?
The memory faded, but resettled quickly as they were in the same place, just a different day. The familiar spacious living room was dotted with a few people in black dress robes, and there was a sombreness in the air.
Harry had the odd experience at looking at his baby self. He had no scar, and he was making gurgling sounds, nestled in his father's hands as he spoke to Gabrielle Sabre, Silvain and Selina's great grandmother. Harry knew the witch well, and liked her very much as a child, and was sad when she died a few years ago. It was nice to see her again.
Harry didn't know how he knew it, but this must be the funeral of Rosalie Sabre. Young Sirius left the living room, and walked into the kitchen and they followed him. Harry noticed that his godfather looked even more rugged than last time, his eyes hollow as if he hadn't been sleeping well. He looked thin, and tired.
Lily was in the kitchen, washing dishes and Sirius walked up to her, and began drying them. They did this silently for a while.
"Why do you like doing this the muggle way?"
Harry's mother shrugged, "It relaxes me."
"We need to find you better hobbies." His godfather joked, but there was no life in his voice. "What were you and Gabrielle whispering about earlier?"
A stern green eye met Sirius, and Harry felt an odd ache in his heart at that.
How odd to crave to be scolded by one's mother. To want that very typical rite of passage.
"Well, if I wanted you to know, I wouldn't have been whispering."
"Well what concerns me is that it appeared you had been whispering from Prongs as well."
Lily stopped washing the dishes, and closed the tap.
"Just because Rory left, doesn't mean all us women can't be trusted."
Sirius' face morphed into surprise, "Merlin woman I wasn't accusing you of plotting to run away from your husband. That thought has never crossed my mind. I'm just curious. I know Gabrielle's considered the greatest witch alive, but she hates Dumbledore. You think they're ex-lovers?"
Lily shook her head, "She blames her husband's death on him."
"Baron's grandfather?"
She nodded, "He was killed by Grindelwald." Lily dropped her voice, "She said that Dumbledore and Grindelwald used to be lovers?"
"Our Dumbledore? Like our headmaster?"
"Yeah. And it was affection for him that let Grindelwald run rampant on the wizarding world for decades. The International Confederation of Wizards had asked him multiple times to be more active against the threat, but he refused. James' grandfather and her husband died by Grindelwand's hand, a fortnight before Dumbledore finally duelled him."
"It feels a bit of a stretch." Sirius whispered, frowning at the closed door where the other mourners were.
Lily shrugged, "I don't blame her. If there was someone out there right now with the ability to kill Voldemort, and they weren't… I'd find that hard to forgive."
Harry's mother had touched her belly, which was flat, but Harry wondered whether she still did that whenever she thought of him, out of habit.
"Lily, you know if Gabrielle tells you something to help Harry, something that Prongs wouldn't want you to do, you know you can ask me anything. I will do anything to keep you, and Prongs, and Harry safe. Anything."
Lily's eyes filled with tears, but it was different to Rory's, there was only affection in there, no pain, and she kissed his godfather on the cheek, "I know. Why do you think I picked you as his godfather."
"James didn't want me?" Sirius was somehow hurt by the compliment and Lily laughed, wiping her face.
"No, he wanted all four of you. He didn't want to pick. He said how can I pick from my four brothers. But I said, knowing the situation we're in, we need to have one person to make decisions, especially if they need to be made fast. And, we saw you with Daphne. You were so good."
Sirius sniffed, turning around and leaning against the sink, staring at the door as the light completely left his eyes, "I was, wasn't I? I wasn't shit, I tried really hard."
"Oh, Padfoot." Lily hugged the taller man awkwardly, standing on her tip toes, her soapy hands in his hair as his shoulders shook with his silent sobs as she tried to embrace him. "You were so good!"
"Then why did she leave me?" He sniffed as Lily wiped her own face on the back of his shirt.
"I don't know. I don't know, I wish I did. I half expect her to walk through that door like she did all those months ago. It's only been a week."
"You think she got lost in the grocery store?" He darkly chuckled, wiping his face with the back of his hand. He finally returned Lily's embrace, bending so she could hug him. "She left a day before the attack on the French Ministry. You don't think she had anything to do with it?"
"You can't think that, Sirius."
"But do you?"
Harry could see his mother frown on his Godfather's shoulder, still hugging him, "It crossed my mind. But it doesn't make any sense. She lived in this house for months, if she wanted Rosalie dead, she could have done it here."
They stopped embracing, but Lily laid a head on Sirius' shoulder, still wanting to offer him some comfort.
"Yeah but she also knew how close Rosalie was to getting her request to the ICW. Remus says there's been leaks, there's been talk of a spy. I'm responsible for bringing her into our world, if those children don't have a mother because of me."
Harry knew this story, but didn't know anything about Daphne's mother's involvement. He heard Death Eaters attacked the French ministry, killing three officials, one of them being Silvain and Selina's mother who was a very talented young witch in their Department of International Magical Co-operation. She had been most vocal about helping the fight against Voldemort, and she had just got enough people on board to sign onto the formal request to the International Confederation of Wizards for France to aid the British Ministry, and then the attack happened and the French ministry had a change of heart. Sirius said it was one of their greatest losses in the war, and their side got picked off like flies after that.
Could that be Daphne's mother's fault? And not just that… the death of Selina and Silvain's mother?
'Sirius, if it was Rory, we'd be dead. It's been a week. Why tell Voldemort about the agreement almost being done and Rosalie's involvement, but not about Harry? When that's who he desperately wants." His mother's voice finished bitterly and angry, radiating protection.
"I was a fool to trust her. She's a Malfoy."
"And you're a Black. We can't choose our siblings. You and I both know this."
"I disagree." Sirius put an arm around Lily, holding her close to his side and kissing her head affectionately, "I think we can."
The kitchen door open and both of them looked up, but Sirius didn't detach from Harry's mother and Harry stared at them. Sirius often regaled him about stories of the Marauders and their time in Hogwarts. His godfather didn't like talking about the war, and Harry was slowly now learning why, but he hadn't fully registered that he had lost two of his best friends the night his parents died, and Harry crossed over to present day Sirius and hugged him. He returned it, kissing him on the head in an affectionate way he hadn't done since he was a little boy, and looked at the memory of him and his dead best friend.
Remus had stepped into the room.
His face was youthful, but he had fresh scars from a bad transformation. Harry realised this must be before the invention of Wolfsbane, and was probably why he wasn't living with them in Paris.
Younger Sirius took one look at his best friend, and stopped leaning against the sink, straight backed as if ready for marching orders.
"What is it?"
"It's your brother, Padfoot. I just heard." Sirius' left hand tightened into a fist, "He's dead."
"Oh." Was all he said as he leaned against the sink at his back once more, as James entered the room, clearly already aware of the news by the look on his face.
"They say Voldemort killed him himself."
"What? Why? Regulus was just a kid." Lily had clutched her tummy once more, and then reached for baby Harry and his father passed him over. Baby Harry quickly finding the best position for his cuddle.
"He ran. Or tried to run." Remus looked hopeful, "I think he must have regretted taking the mark."
"My brother never regretted a thing in his life." Sirius half whispered.
"I've been thinking, Rory left the same day Reg went on the run." James moved his square frames up his nose, "Maybe she left to help him escape. They were best friends. I'd do anything to help any of you, even if you made a mistake."
"He didn't make a mistake. He took the dark mark." Sirius spat. "Do you have news of her?" His godfather had turned to the baby in Lily's arms, as if not caring about Remus' answer but Harry could tell he was just pretending nonchalance.
"No, sorry. I only heard about Regulus because I stopped at Hogwarts to get news from Dumbledore. He said he hasn't heard anything to increase the threat level, but he wonders whether it would be better for you all to move to New York with the Scamanders, might be safer, what with the attack at the French Ministry."
"We can't leave Baron. Not now. He just lost Rosalie, and Gabrielle is not well enough to help." Lily muttered.
"I thought you might say that. I wish I can stay and help as well." Remus looked defeated.
"You're being of actual use to the Order." James commented, "Unlike me."
"Or me." Sirius added, "Though now that Rory and Daphne are gone… I can become active again."
Lily and James exchanged knowing looks. It would seem that they had thought this very thing might happen, and they looked uncertain. Remus had upon occasion called his godfather reckless, even though Harry just thought he had a good dose of adventurous spirit. Perhaps they were afraid that grief and heartbreak did not a stable fighter make.
Before he could find out his parents response to Sirius' statement, the room faded once again, they were now in the Sabre's living room. It was night, and must be summer judging by all the open windows.
"So Dumbledore thinks it's time for the Fidelius Charm?" Baron had asked Sirius, who nodded.
"I don't know how he has suddenly become very certain, but yes, Dumbledore thinks it's time. He is expecting Voldemort to more actively pursue you in the coming weeks."
"Okay." James looked grim, Lily in his arms, as baby Harry was chewing on a lock of her red hair, nestled comfortably against her chest.
"I can speak to my grandmother. She can get a fidelius charm on this place easily."
"That's very kind Baron. But no." James was firm, he glanced down at Lily, "We spoke about it. And we don't want to put any of our friends in danger if he finds us. We'll go into hiding. Just the two of us."
"The fidelius will need a secret keeper. You can't do it for yourselves."
"Dumbledore has offered to serve." Sirius relayed the message. He was more haggard than ever, with a raw scar down his neck which must have healed well as it wasn't there in present day.
"Actually." James stood, kissing Lily on the head on his way up, facing Sirius who was stood across the room, next to the French doors that led to the large balcony, "We spoke about this with my father before he died. He told me if it comes to this, I should ask you."
"Me?"
James nodded, "He said he and Dumbledore would be obvious, so they'll throw everything at that. And I guess, they'll do that with just Dumbledore now. But, he said, and we agree, that there's nobody he would trust more than one son to protect the other."
Sirius glanced out the large open doors next to him so that he could contain his response, "Of course. Of course Prongs." Sirius crossed the room, engulfing his best friend in a hug.
The scene changed once more, but it settled just as quickly.
"You're having doubts?" James leaned against the sofa he was sat on with Lily and his son moments ago, but now he was alone, facing Sirius who was in an armchair, sipping his favourite whiskey. Harry looked through the now closed French doors, it looked like it was dawn.
"No. I want to do this. I meant that last night. I just… I would die before I betray you, or Lily, or Harry. You know that." James nodded, and his godfather continued, "I think they're going to think it's me. And they know they can't pressure me to say, magically or other wise. I have to volunteer that information. And I know I would never do it, but they don't know that. I could get taken-"
"Padfoot."
"Hear me out. I'll have enough fiendpowder on me, they'll be nothing of him left."
James was quiet for a second, his nostrils flaring, and Harry had to wonder whether his father was contemplating Sirius' offer of literally his life.
"Aside from the fact that if you so much as attempt to do something that fucking stupid, I'd have to cross seven hells to smack you up the head, do you honestly think fiendpowder will kill him. Dumbledore thinks sheer force won't do the trick, he thinks there's something else at play, he's looking into it."
"So you need time? For Dumbledore to figure whatever this is out?" Sirius leaned forward, "Then maybe I get captured, they won't hurt me!" He said quickly, "Not if they think I have the secret. But, I'm just the decoy. You make someone else Secret Keeper."
"Look, you getting captured is out of the question. But… decoy keepers, that's a good play." Harry had been told his father had also been captain of his quidditch team in his youth, and he thought the look on his face would be very similiar to the one he wore at practice.
"Right? We could set up some rumours. Make them think it's a whole bunch of us, they're already after us." Sirius sat forward, "But, the real one can be Peter. They'd never guess it was him."
"Peter?"
"Yeah, who'd suspect him?"
James was quiet, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling briefly as he contemplated the suggestion. "Fine. But you're not getting captured, Padfoot. You have to run, and be good about running."
Sirius nodded, "I'm sure Dung can find a way for their lot to think it's me. He knows all the right whisperers in Knockturn Alley. I'll make some obvious red herrings, draw out all the money from my bank. Stop responding to Order calls, lay low, they'll definitely know something has changed because I've been the most aggressive against them of late."
"I'll have to speak to Lily of course, but this sounds like a good idea. And of course talk to Peter as well."
"Oh Wormy would love to help you out. He's been asking to be more involved in the Order, get more serious jobs. I think he wants to do his bit for you, and for Harry."
James nodded, solemnly, "I hate that you lot have to take these sacrifices for me, but," He sighed, "I feel lucky beyond measure to have friends like you."
"It's not luck mate." Sirius stood, "It's love." He downed the rest of his drink and placed it down on the table, words hard as he grew emotional as James crossed the room quickly and hugged his best friend and Sirius gripped him back tightly.
They stepped back, and it was like they aged a decade with that hug.
"So I won't be seeing you for a while?"
"Might be better Peter doesn't share the location with me at all, just in case. So yeah. I'll go on the run."
James nodded, "Send mail to old Bathilda. She'll get it to us. We're going back to England first thing in the morning, we'll see Peter then. Lily learnt how to do the fidelius charm. She thought it better that one of us know, just in case we have to re-cast it, and you know Gabrielle's taken her under her wing as her little protégé, so she was more than happy to teach her."
Sirius nodded, putting on his familiar leather jacket, "I'm going to head tonight. Give them all my love."
"Wait." Sirius had turned to the fireplace, but then stopped at James' request.
"I asked Baron to get this." James had passed Sirius a sheet of paper, "It's Daniel Greengrass' address. British and French. I know." James held his hand up, "Just if you're going to go on the run, just check up on her before?" He sighed, "I know this is mental. But you weren't here the morning before she left for groceries. She was talking about marrying you, having a litter of babies. She was ecstatic, happy."
"Because she was going to escape soon."
"Padfoot, what are you saying! She left her life, her husband, her brother, her name, everything, for you. She always runs to you. I don't believe she betrayed you. It's me saying this, was I not the most vocal when you started dating her? Rory's proven her loyalty to me, to Lily, to you. If she betrayed us, we'd be dead by now. Just, I know you'll regret it if you don't just stop by. Check on her, please."
"I love you, James. I would do anything for you. And I know you think everyone's love is like yours and Lily's. But that's not what it was for us, clearly. And I'm not taking the risk of showing up at her door and having her call her brother. If I'm going to die for anyone, it's going to be for my family." He ruffled James' hair, in a way he did to Harry often, and turned to the fireplace.
The scene changed once more.
They were now stood in a dimly lit room. The sound of a car backfiring had younger Sirius glance out the window, staring down at the street below, anxiety riddling his features. It was night, and there was a television on. He was in a muggle flat.
There was a snap.
Sirius drew his wand, but quickly lowered it when he saw who had apparated.
A house elf with bat like ears and large green eyes was holding onto Rory, who collapsed onto the floor.
"Rory!"
"Miss Aurora! Miss!" The house elf squeeked, "She is being hurt!"
"Rory!" Sirius held the woman, who looked pale and skinny, so unlike the day Harry remembered seeing her. Her hair was drab, and dirty, and there was a large red welt around her neck, and if she hadn't been shivering Harry would have thought she was dead.
"Sirius." Her voice was dry, and she gripped his shirt.
"Oh, Elf, what is this? What happened?"
"No, no!" Rory suddenly sat up, struggling and using Sirius as leverage, "Look at me. Explain later. I just at the manor. Malfoy Manor, my brother." She coughed, and then pushed his hand of assistance away, "Peter."
"What?"
"I saw Peter. At my brother's house."
"Was he taken?" Sirius looked terrified and Harry's hands balled into fists.
She shook her head, "No, Sirius. You don't understand. He was talking to Lucius. He…Sirius, he was there willingly. I think he has betrayed you. You must tell Dumbledore."
But Sirius had slowly risen to his feet, his eyes wide, his face white.
"James." He muttered. "I… Merlin I told him to make him Secret Keeper."
"What!" Rory gasped, "Their under the fidelius now? Go!"
"You-"
"GO! I'll be alright!" She screamed, and then passed out. Sirius turned to the Elf. "Get her a Healer. Her husband! Go!"
And they both disapparated.
But Harry did not go with Sirius, and he was glad for it. He wasn't prepared to see his parents dead bodies.
The scene changed, Harry could tell it was much later at night through a passing window.
Sirius was racing up flights of stairs, and they easily followed him. On a landing he stopped. A much younger Lucius Malfoy was stood in his way.
"Why am I being told that my sister is here, with you, Black!"
Sirius didn't respond, running straight at the man who looked baffled in response, throwing a curse at his godfather, which he didn't dodge.
Sirius crumpled to the floor, gritting his teeth in pain, his hand automatically going to the fresh laceration in his right arm. Lucius raised his arm again, but halted.
Someone had been shouting from upstairs… a man's voice, and Sirius screamed, "Rory!"
He ran straight up the stairs, pass Lucius who snapped out of it and followed him, barging through his apartment door, stopping as if turned to stone halfway into the room just as Remus grabbed Harry.
"Don't look." He stood in the way of him, physically turning his head away as he watched both Siriuses fall to the floor, the sound of the younger one's knees on tile reverberating in the silent room.
But Harry had to know everything, and he pushed his uncle aside, spotting a tall fair haired man stood near the window, his familiar green eyes glittering in the dark room, holding a knife dripping with blood.
Rory was on the floor, encircled by a sea of red.
There was a snap of apparition.
"No! No ma poupette! Noooo." Lucius Malfoy fell to floor, gripping his sister's lifeless body in his hands. Harry had been distracted staring at his Sirius, who had been on the floor, a mirror of his youthful despair, just as heartbroken now as he was then.
Distracted by his godfather, Harry didn't notice young Sirius stand to his feet.
And with a snap, he disapparated.
The scene changed once more. They were now in a dark room, bare of furniture or decoration, except a single table.
Sirius was sat on one side, and Harry never saw his godfather look so defeated. He noticed that he was handcuffed. A blonde woman sat across from him. She wore her long hair much like Daphne did hers this morning, a bun with a thin braid around the top like a crown. Harry had remembered becuase he thought it made her look like a princess, but didn't think it was the right time to compliment her on such things.
"You've always been too reckless for your own good, cousin."
Sirius didn't respond. He told Harry he never spoke to any of his family, that they were all evil gits.
"Sirius. Do you understand the situation you are in?"
Still silence.
The blonde woman looked at the door, and Harry now saw some resemblance. "I only have a few minutes. I need you to try and be present for a few minutes, please."
Still nothing.
"Bella is out looking for the boy. Potter's son."
"What?" Sirius growled.
"Yes, they all are. Those that haven't fled. I assume Dumbledore's keeping him safe."
Sirius rose to his feet, walking to the door but was stopped by the shackles on his ankles.
"Sit down." The woman snapped, "I need you to pay attention. Please. If you want to see your godson again."
He did as he was told, begrudgingly, and Harry was actually glad for that. At least it was a reaction.
"They think you betrayed the Potters and went on a killing spree. Murdered your ex-lover, her husband, your best friend who challenged you for your betrayal, and twelve muggles. They're saying you won't have a trial. It will be straight to Azkaban for you, for life. Some people want the Dementor's kiss."
Sirius was staring at the table, almost bored by the recount of the last few hours of events.
"Where is Harry?"
"We had a tip off that he might be with Remus Lupin, they've gone after him. Someone else spotted the baby with Rubeus Hagrid, in your motorbike, but they haven't found them. They're saying the boy killed the Dark Lord. Did he?"
Sirius ignored the question, "Where is Daphne?"
"Daphne?"
"Yes. Where is she?"
The woman swallowed, "I have her. How do you know Daphne?"
Sirius didn't answer the woman, "You said they think I killed Daniel Greengrass. Why?"
"Lucius was distraught, he was…. He said…"
"Your husband has told these people that I've killed my Rory?"
The woman leaned forward, "He is heartbroken. There is little he loved as much as his family, and she was his whole world for so long. He practically raised her."
"Cissy. What do you want?" Sirius glared at his cousin, who straightened in her chair, not intimidated.
"I want to keep my family safe."
"He'll be safe as long as I'm in here." Sirius bit out.
"Fine, threaten my husband and I'll leave you here to rot like a rat."
That seemed to fill Sirius with rage, "Where's Peter?"
"You killed him, didn't you?"
"No. He can turn into a rat, he faked it."
"Oh. That's excellent news! This is much better. Then you've killed nobody?"
"I wish I had." Sirius growled.
"Shhh. We have to act fast. Our house elf brought Aurora to you. He can swear as your witness, I can push for your release. Say that Lucius was distraught, wasn't thinking straight. You both walked in, found Aurora and Daniel dead. Unsure how." Her nostrils flared as she spoke.
"Daniel's not dead though. He got away."
"He will be soon." The woman's voice was hard and cold. And then suddenly, she was weeping.
"Narcissa?"
"It's all my fault! I was being petulant because you ruined my wedding and… and I… you were hateful! And you hated us! And I didn't want you in my family again! Daniel was meant to be the better choice. He was neutral. He was not dark, nor light. He was a healer. He had a good family name. He was the better choice!"
Sirius looked like he was trying to swallow poison as his cousin shouted at him, not fully listening to her words and Harry thought he was processing everything slowly, he must be exhausted, "Did you know that he… that he was hurting her? Did Rory say."
"No!" Narcissa shook her head, "They wanted to move to France after Daphne was born and we supported it, Lucius wanted her away from all of this. He was busy, we haven't seen each other in months, but she wrote to us. And then after Daphne was born, not a letter for months. Daniel explained she felt poorly after the birth. Understandable, it happens to women. He moved them to Bella Île. I wanted to visit but he insisted they needed space and… he was a healer. I thought he would know better and Lucius was so busy and things were so dangerous, I couldn't afford to get caught, I just had Draco."
It was clear the excuses were not for him, they were for herself.
"Your mother found some of Rory's stuff in Regulus' room. Letters. Photos. Gifts they must have exchanged over the years. I used to wish that she would like him. Him we could have in the family." She stared off, "But she insisted they were just friends. I thought it might actually cheer her up. So I sent the box with Dobby, our house elf. But I said, 'take this to Aurora.' Not to Bella Île, or to the Greengrass Châteaux like I usually say. I said to her. And he did."
As the tear rolled off her face, it morphed into a grimace of fury.
"Dobby found her in the cellar. Chained like a dog. I made Dobby take me there this morning. Food in a bowl. Sheets dirty. It stank. He was sick. Disgusting. She must have been there for months. We don't know what he did to Daphne… the healer's say she's fine, but who knows?"
Harry looked at Sirius, whose face was fury personified.
Daphne's father did this to her mother?
"Dobby of course brought her back to the manor, with Daphne. They had arrived and I suppose she saw that friend of yours and made the stupid house elf take her straight to you, silly girl. Always too reckless." She muttered. "I don't know how Daniel found her."
"I sent the elf for Daniel." Sirius said, hollowly. "I… wasn't thinking."
"Oh. So I suppose you did kill her." The woman stated simply.
"Just as much as your husband did for making her marry that man."
There was a knock on the door and Narcissa leaned forward, "We don't have time. Listen to me. I can get you out of this, you just have to do something for me in return."
"Why would you do this for me?"
"For you. You think I'm doing this for you. You were not the only one that loved Aurora, that lost her last night. I may have failed her in not saving her life, but, whatever you are, she loved you. And she wouldn't want you to waste your life in here."
Sirius looked as if he had lockjaw and Harry could see him falling into mute despair again.
"Now. I am aware that you are angry at Lucius. You are bitter that he denied your request to marry Aurora."
"I am angry at him for being the reason that every person that I love is dead." Sirius spat, "Peter was at his house betraying my family. He led the attack on Potter Manor, that led to the death of Charlus Potter. He stopped me from getting to Rory on time, from helping her!"
"You left her. You left her in the state that she was in! How could you!"
"Because I needed to help my friends!"
"You are to blame just as much as he is! But this is irrelevant. That boy is alive. I hear he is just a month older than Draco. He is your godson. Don't you want to be with him?"
"Of course I want to be with Harry!"
"Then why did you run to Peter when you should have been running to him?" She shook her head, "Gryffindors." She spat it like an insult, "Now, you were the only one that saw Lucius the day that Charlus Potter was murdered. I want you to say he looked like he was under the imperius curse."
"Never."
"Then you will never see that boy again. I will tell them that you beat Aurora. That you were awful to her. To me growing up. Bella will support me. I will do what I have to do to keep my family safe. And you should do the same. You have two choices. Tell the truth, and nobody will believe you. Nobody will listen. I'll make sure of it. Or. You lie. And both our families can be safe."
"How does my family stay safe. You said some of them are after Harry as we speak."
"Bella is leading that charge. You know the only person she listens to is me."
Sirius glared at his cousin, "What about Daphne?"
"Lucius and I will take care of her."
"Aurora wouldn't want that. She-"
"Loved her brother!"
"She was done with him!" He snapped, but his exhaustion meant it lacked his usual bite, "She said she was done with him. She won't want Daphne to be like him. I want her. She's like my daughter. She would have been mine!"
"No. She is Lucius' blood, Sirius. But, I agree with you. Aurora wanted different. And I'll make sure she gets that. I'll." Narcissa faultered, emotional, "I'll try my best to do what she would have wanted. Please Sirius. We can help each other. Please."
There was more urgent knocks at the door.
And with the smallest of nods his godfather made the wrong choice.
A/N: That's a bit of a reference to earlier in the chapter when Sirius said it's easy to choose, you just have to choose between what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' - but of course that's subjective, which time has shown him. I hope you enjoyed this long chapter that explains where we are more or less, how the A/U came about and why Sirius and Lucius hate each other, and also why Daphne and Draco are different - they're being raised in Rory's honour.
Would love to hear your feedback on this chapter - I know it's information overload, but I hope you enjoyed it and it answered some questions you may have had earlier.
Thank you for reading!