This is it! Harry thought. I'm going to have to tell them today. I'm going to let everyone know I'm a werewolf. Harry was pacing around his room nervous about what was going to pass in the next few hours. Not only was he going to have to tell all his friends that he was a werewolf but also reveal that Sirius Black his godfather, was innocent to several people who had no idea. Harry looked at the clock on his nightstand. Guests would be here in ten minutes. He straightened his hair as best he could and walked down to the dining room.
"Harry, relax, I can smell the tension on you. Today is not gonna be that bad. Also Happy fourteenth." Remus said, giving him a reassuring smile.
"Thanks Moony. I'm trying to relax but I'm worried before I get a word in about Sirius someone is gonna hex him." Harry replied.
"Honestly Harry, the biggest worry is Andi. If you can't convince her then we have a big problem. She was my favorite cousin and Nym is only about seven years older than you so she might not even remember me." said Sirius from the kitchen.
"Why are you back there? I thought we were just gonna drop the bomb on everyone right from the start?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Nope Andi is the first one and I for one agree she will hex me before an explanation can be heard so I'm gonna let you and Moony get the truth out before I come out then we can tell everyone else as they come." he explained.
There was a small pop and three people arrived in the formal dining room. Harry went up the stairs to greet his guests.
"Mr. and Mrs. Tonks welcome, I'm Harry. It's nice to finally meet you." Harry said, putting a hand out.
"Harry dear, you look just like James. Happy fourteenth now this place I know all to well which means you have some explaining to do young man." Andromeda said walking up to him and hugging him.
"Wotcher Potter glad to see you got some meat on your bones compared to the last time I saw you." said the pink haired woman standing off to the side behind her mother and father.
"Nymphadora, don't be rude, introduce yourself properly." Andi scolded her.
"DON'T CALL ME Nymphadora, it's just Tonks." the girl replied.
"Don't be daft, I gave you a lovely name and I will use it. Now Harry I believe I know where we are but I want to hear it from you." Andi said, giving Harry a stern look.
"I think it would be better if we go down to the basement dining room. I'll explain everything there." Harry dodged, directing them to the stairs.
When the four got down into the dining room Andromeda Tonks saw a man she hadn't seen in thirteen years.
"Remus Lupin if you are here with Harry I have a good feeling I know what's going on. Where is that mangy old mutt cousin of mine." Andromeda said, crossing her arms.
"How di… how did you know?" Harry stammered.
"Harry, I am the eldest daughter of the three Black daughters. I know the ancestral home of my forefathers. If you are here it means Sirius finally got around to telling you the truth which I had always suspected. Since Remus is here too. It means I have my answer of which one did it. Sirius, come here now." Andi called out.
"Andi how are you? It's been a long time?" Sirius said, cautiously coming out of the kitchen.
That's was all it took for Andromeda to start firing stinging hexes at the man.
"You complete arse how could you go off into that obvious trap and get stuck in Azkaban for twelve years and then the first time I hear from you is being invited to Harry's birthday. If you don't start explaining right now…." she left her threat open for Sirius to figure out.
"Alright woman enough with the stinging hexes." Sirius yelled. "We actually have a plan to tell all of Harry's party guests quite a few secrets. Can you wait until everyone gets here to know the whole truth please?"
Andromeda looked hesitantly at Sirius as if contemplating hexing him again then nodded.
It wasn't long before the next group arrived which also happened to be the biggest in the Weasley family. Ron talked to Harry about his excitement to the quidditch world cup and praising Victor Krum. The twins were happy to show Harry some of the gag gifts they invented much to their mothers disappointment. Speaking of the Weasley matriarch she greeted Harry with her usual bone crushing hug and told Harry how he still looked a little too thin. Arthur shook his hand and wished him a happy birthday and finally Ginny came up and shyly greeted Harry before going off to one of her brothers. About half an hour later all the guests had arrived and it was time to make the first grand reveal.
"Everyone can I have your attention please." Remus called out and everyone looked up at him.
"First I want to thank you all for coming to what is a momentous occasion for quite a few of us. You see, for those who don't already know, I was friends with James and Lily, I was actually one of the few people present when Harry was born but due to extremely unfortunate circumstances this is the first birthday I and others get to celebrate with Harry. James and Lily went into hiding from Voldemort shortly after Harry was born and I was away for his first one and then the tragedy of '81 happened and Harry was lost to me. It would be twelve years before I would know anything more about Harry other than he was doing well and somewhere safe for his protection, this was the call to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts because my old friend had done the impossible and escaped Azkaban. I took it, if only to honor Lily and James's memory and protect Harry but what I learned last year was so much more. I met a young man who was every bit his parents' son . He has Lily's heart and compassion and James's loyalty and shall we say Gryffindorishness. When I learned what had happened to him I elected to have him come live with me but we learned more than we could have ever guessed and I think I will let the man of the hour take over to explain. Remus finished waving for Harry to come up.
As Harry got to the spot in front of everyone he was extremely nervous and Sirius creeped up to the very back of the crowd so no one would see him until pointed out.
"Ok well where to start. At the beginning of third year everyone heard about Sirius Black escaping Azkaban. Most people also knew that he was after me because he was the one who betrayed my parents to Voldemort the night he was killed. I wasn't told any of this and in fact didn't find out until I had the pleasure of sneaking out of Hogwarts and into Hogsmeade one weekend. It was during this trip that I overheard Professor McGonagall talking to the minister Professor Flitwick, Hagrid, and Madam Rosmerta, and she told them of what she knew of the night of October 31st 1981. Naturally hearing the news and in this way filled me with rage both for why I never knew this before and how a friend could betray my parents like that.
Well having my friends convince me not to go looking for the mad man helped until the end of the year. At the end of the year we had gotten a letter from Hagrid about how he had lost the appeal for Buckbeak and they were going to execute him. Hagrid, for those who don't know, was the person who introduced me to the wizarding world and told me the truth about my parents. Hagrid has been my friend since and I grew a great sense of respect for Buckbeak while I knew him. So before the execution Ron, Hermione, and I snuck out of the castle to go down to see him and offer our support. We went down to comfort Hagrid and he had a surprise for one of us. He found Scabbers whom we all thought was dead. A few minutes later the Committee was coming so the three of us left Hagrid's to return to the castle, as we got to the top of the hill we looked back to see the executioner bring down the ax. It was at this moment Scabbers bit Ron and made a run for it. Ron chased after him and finally caught him at the base of the Whomping Willow tree. We told Ron to run. He looked up and told us to run because the Grim was behind us. We turned and saw this massive black dog running towards us, fearing it was going to attack us. We got ready to defend ourselves, instead it leapt clean over Hermione and I and went after Ron. Panicked, Ron tried to get away causing the dog to latch onto his ankle and drag him into a secret tunnel under the Whomping Willow. After getting thrashed by the Willow , Hermione and I managed to follow the dog into the Shrieking Shack. Once inside we were confronted by the very man who had been hunting me, Sirius Black." Harry took a moment to pause and allow the weight of the situation to sink in.
"Hermione bravely put herself between me and Sirius and said "If you want to kill Harry you'll have to kill us to." At this point I tackled Sirius and was ready to kill him, not that I was sure how to acomplish that at thirteen but I was very angry. A few minutes later we were joined by none other than Professor Lupin who disarmed me but held Sirius at wand point. He let Sirius stand up and asked "Where is he Sirius?" at which point Sirius pointed to Scabbers. Lupin loked at the Rat.
"But then…" Lupin muttered, staring at Black so intently it seemed he was trying to read his mind, "…why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless—" Lupin's eyes suddenly widened, as though he was seeing something beyond Black, something none of the rest could see, "—unless he was the one… unless you switched… without telling me?"
"I'm sorry my old friend, can you forgive me?" Sirius asked.
"Only if you forgive me shall we kill him then." Remus replied.
"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU" Hermione shouted. "I COVERED FOR YOU. I KEPT YOU SECRET. HARRY GET AWAY FROM HIM. HE WANTS YOU DEAD TO. HE'S BEEN HELPING HIM GET INTO THE CASTLE. HE'S A WEREWOLF"
"One out of three Hermione not at all up to your standards. I don't want Harry dead, I haven't been helping Sirius get into the castle but I won't deny I am a werewolf have been since I was seven." Remus replied, shaking his head. "For Harry and Ron, Hermione figured out what I was by the obvious setup Professor Snape's essay was meant to be. He did that to try and get every student to know what I was. After she discovered it she confronted me and I told her how Dumbledore knew as did most of the staff."
"Professor Snape? that greasy ball became a teacher good lord Albus has lost it." Sirius croaked.
"Yes he has but Severus has been making my potion successfully all year long so I'm not going to nit pick it Sirius now back to explaining things." Remus diggrested.
"You say you haven't been helping him but how did you know to look for someone?" Harry asked.
"The Map Harry. I had been watching tonight because I knew you would sneak off to visit Hagrid before the hippogriff was executed. So I figured I would keep it open and watch out from a distance."
"You know how to work it?" Harry said suspiciously.
"Of course I know how to work it." said Lupin, waving his hand impatiently. "I helped write it. I'm Moony—that was my friends' nickname for me at school."
"You wrote…"
"While you may be invisible under your father's cloak you still show up on the map. I watched you cross the grounds and enter Hagrid's hut. Twenty minutes later, you left Hagrid, and set off back toward the castle. But you were now accompanied by somebody else."
"What?" said Harry. "No, we weren't!"
"I couldn't believe my eyes," said Lupin, still pacing, and ignoring Harry's interruption. "I thought the map must be malfunctioning. How could he be with you?"
"No one was with us!" said Harry.
"And then I saw another dot, moving fast toward you, labeled Sirius Black… I saw him collide with you; I watched as he pulled two of you into the Whomping Willow—"
"One of us!" Ron said angrily.
"No, Ron," said Lupin. "Two of you." He had stopped his pacing, his eyes moving over Ron. "Do you think I could have a look at the rat?" he said evenly.
"What?" said Ron. "What's Scabbers got to do with it?"
"Everything," said Lupin. "Could I see him, please?"
Lupin moved closer to Ron. He seemed to be holding his breath as he gazed intently at Scabbers. "What?" Ron said again, holding Scabbers close to him, looking scared. "What's my rat got to do with anything?"
"That's not a rat," croaked Sirius Black suddenly.
"What d'you mean—of course he's a rat—"
"No, he's not," said Lupin quietly. "He's a wizard."
"An Animagus," said Black, "by the name of Peter Pettigrew."
Everyone let out a gasp. Most didn't know how to react to what they were being told.
"Sirius and Remus then told us the tale of how in school my dad Sirius and Peter became illegal animagi to join Remus on the nights of the full moon. Sirius told us how he and my dad came up with the plan to place a false trail of Sirius being the secret keeper while in reality it was Pettigrew. This was later confirmed when they forced the rat to turn back in to a man. Pettigrew confessed to the whole thing saying it was out of fear." Harry explained.
"It was at this point that I was finally ready to commit the crime I had just spent twelve years in Azkaban for." Sirius said deeming it the perfect time to reveal himself.
"You couldn't wait five more minutes, you old mutt." Harry said, laughing at everyone's shocked faces.
"Nope, I wanted to get it out of the way plus I needed to tell everyone that while two adult wizards lost their cool a thirteen year old put them in their place." Sirius said, earning more than a few looks of worry. "Remus and I were going to enact our revenge for James and Lily. We were going to kill Peter right then and there, but Harry had the wherewithal to suggest we bind the rat and bring him to the castle to hand over to the dementors to clear my name. Unfortunately that wasn't what happened, as we exited the Willow we were bathed in the light of the full moon."
"In my haste I had forgotten to take the wolfsbane potion so the beast was released and caused Pettigrew to escape. Sirius transformed into his animagus form and battled me off until something drew the wolf away." Remus took over.
"That would have been me." Hermione said, adding her version of the story. "After Professor Lupin was drawn off Sirius stumbled away and passed out Harry and I went after him. We found him by the edge of the lake just as the air started to turn cold. The dementors were coming and we tried to fend them off with the patronus charm but were unsuccessful. The next thing I remember was waking up in the Hospital wing with Professor Dumbledore, Minister Fudge, and Snape telling a tale of confundus charms and Black's dark magic. Professor Dumbledore then informed us of a way to save Sirius from the Dementor's Kiss, my time turner. We went back in time to not only save Sirius from the Dementors but we also managed to save Buckbeak."
"During the time we were watching our doubles I figured something out, you see I had thought I saw my dad conjure the patronus that saved us but it wasn't, it was me. While Hermione and I were waiting to save Sirius, Hermione realized it was her that lured Professor Lupin away. Unfortunately this caused him to chase us and well he managed to catch one of us." Harry explained as he unbuttoned his shirt. "He had us cornered against a tree. I tried to shield Hermione from him but well he got my shoulder. From that moment on I am a werewolf."
Harry had done it, he told everyone he thought he could trust now it was just waiting for their response.
"Sirius Black, you look me in the eye and swear to me, what has been said is true. You tell now on your honor a Gryffindor." Professor McGonagall had come forward.
"I swear to everyone in this room on my honor, on my life, on my very soul, I never betrayed James and Lily to Voldemort. I spent the last twelve years in Azkaban in a sort of self punishment because I felt responsible for what happened to Lily and James because it was my idea to switch the secret keeps. I thought it was the perfect plan, make everyone think it was me because I was the obvious choice but I also knew Voldemort would be after me both for their location and because of my family history with the Dark Arts. We thought because of how mediocru Peter was no one would go after him. We didn't realize he had already been bought. James was my brother in all but blood and I am Harry's godfather. I never wanted this." He said quickly and with such conviction no one doubted him.
"Harry dear please put your shirt back on no one is going to judge you for something out of your control." Mrs. Weasley spoke from her seat.
"This is what you two were hiding from me last year. You think I'd care that you're a werewolf? Harry, you are my best mate and you defended Hermione. I mean if we listened to her your good luck should have run out by now. So I think we can chalk this up to bad outcomes of our wacky adventures and move on." Ron said, grabbing Harry and pulling him into a hug.
Harry was pleased when he realized everyone was going to be there for him and they didn't hate him. The rest of the day progressed well. Harry enjoyed having all his friends with him talking about what they had done since school let out, about the World Cup and what it's going to be like. It was a big problem that the full moon was a day before the World Cup but Dumbledore assured Harry that he would get him there and that he could count it as his birthday present. It was around dinner time when most of the party had to leave. Ron and Hermione promised to be in contact as much as they could but would see him at the World Cup. The only ones to stay were the Tonkses because Harry still needed to ask about the wolfsbane potion. He was walking into the formal dining room when he caught the low voices of Sirius and Andromeda.
"So does Harry know about everything or have you not told him yet?" Andi asked.
"No we haven't told him but Moony says we better get a move on because his nose will definitely figure it out soon enough." replied Sirius.
"My nose will figure out what Padfoot?" Harry asked, walking in and startling both of them.
"Damn it Harry! I forgot how good your hearing has gotten. Let's wait for Moony to get back and we will explain it." Sirius said, clutching his heart in shock.
Remus came in a few minutes later looking confused as to what was going on.
"Ok What's happened?" He asked, sitting next to Sirius.
"Nothing Moony, Andi and I were talking and she asked if we had informed Harry of certain things and I explained what you had told me and then Harry walked in but I do think it's time we told him." explained Sirius.
"Told me what?" Harry asked, looking confused.
"Well Harry I'm gonna make this a senses test to see if you can figure it out. I want you to close your eyes and take in the scents in the room. Tell me what you smell." Remus told him.
Harry did as he was told and what he could pick up was very strange and familiar all at the same time. He could smell chocolate and wolf which he knew was Remus. He could smell the vanilla/honey and dog smell that was Sirius. He smelled a rose oil based perfume that must have been Andromeda, an oaky musk cologne that was Ted and a bubblegum peppermint that was Tonks. Focussing a little more Harry could smell the chocolate/wolf and vanilla/honey/dog were faintly blended together. What did that mean? Harry wondered, opening his eyes he looked at Remus.
"Why do you two smell like each other?" He asked.
"Well Harry, we are together." Remus said, casually.
"Ok I understand but I don't think I get it." Harry said, still confused.
"Harry, Remus and I are together, have been intimate and all that." Sirius said.
"Oh… oh god not something I needed to know and now I know the scent I'm gonna know every time now." Harry said, covering his face in his hands.
"Yes, that was kind of the idea. You see, sooner or later you would have picked up the scent and wondered what it was. We figured we would get it out of the way plus we didn't want to hide it from you." replied Sirius.
"And you are fourteen Harry, I suspect if you haven't noticed them by now being a wolf you will definitely start to notice girls and/or guys. We just want you to be prepared for what you are going to be going through. The wolf heightens everything Harry." Remus said, with emphasis on everything.
"Gentlemen need I remind you that there are two ladies in the room. Such talk is not proper at this time. Harry you had asked me to stay behind for something, what was it?" Andromeda spoke up to avoid more of this discussion.
"Oh right. Well with me and Remus being werewolves we were wondering if you could brew the wolfsbane potion for us. We would be happy to pay you for your services." Harry added quickly.
"Harry, that is an easy answer, yes I will brew the potion for you and you don't have to pay me for it, you are family. I know all too well the benefits the potion has on werewolves. I'll have it ready by the next full moon." She said getting up and giving Harry one last hug.
Two weeks went by after Harry's party. It was the week before the World Cup and Remus and Sirius had spent much of that time preparing Harry for the next stages of life. Remus gave a very clinical and by the book Talk while Sirius gave a more descriptive and do's and don'ts talk, all of which Harry found extremely embarrassing. Harry was nervous about how this turn was going to go, taking the wolfsbane for the first time. He spent most of his time asking Remus how things will be different. Remus assured him it will be a lot better than the first time, while the change would still be painful for a few more years, he would have his memories and be in a lot more control. Harry had also gotten a little more use to Sirius and Remus being more affectionate to each other in front of him. The day finally came for Harry to take the potion for the first time.
"You are all gonna watch me aren't you?" he asked, looking at everyone.
"You better believe it pup." Sirius said.
"I just want to make sure my hard work doesn't go to waste. I know Remus will take his but you on the other hand I have my doubts." commented Andromeda.
"Fair warning Harry, Vomit Berties taste better." Remus added.
Harry looked wide-eyed at him then quickly downeed the goblet.
"Ok hotter than I was expecting but honestly polyjuice is way worse." Harry said, coughing slightly.
"Oh really when did you try Polyjuice Potion young man?" Andromeda asked.
"Second year posed as Crabbe and Goyle to find out if Malfoy knew who the heir of Slytherin was, it turned out he didn't." Ron said quickly.
"Well at least you'll be able to tolerate it because we have to drink it every day until the full and again before sunset on the full." explained Remus.
"Oh what fun." Harry replied sarcastically.
The days passed uneventfully with Harry and Remus taking their potion finally the night of the first full was here. Harry, Remus, and Sirius went down to the basement and Harry was blown away. The once dull cement walls were gone. Last time the ceiling bewitchment was all he really noticed but now it was a huge open field full of trees and a small river. Harry couldn't believe what he was looking at.
"I love magic." he laughed.
"This was the best we could do in a short amount of time but it will give us enough room to run around. Eventually we can transfigure rocks or something into deer to hunt but that won't be a problem this time. Now the one thing I want to tell you when the sun rises on the day we change back you won't have a lot of time to get ready before your portkey leaves for the cup so as tired as you are going to be you need to get everything you'll need for the day then you are going to the Burrow for a few days." Remus explained.
Harry nodded and started getting ready.
As the moon began to rise Harry felt the pain start just like last time. Once is was done he knew he was tired but he wanted to test himself now that he knew what he was doing. He looked around and saw Moony and Padfoot watching him. Padfoot walk over and yipped playfully testing to see if the young wolf was able to stand. Trying to stand on four legs was definitely something he would need to get used to, he fell several times before finally managing to stand on all fours. Moony walked over to him and nudged him foward to get him to walk which caused him to fall flat. Letting an annoyed growl at Moony pushing him down he stood back up and tried walking. It took a few attempts but Harry finally was walking and before he knew it running. That was how the next three days were spent Harry, Moony, and Padfoot chasing each other around until they were tired then they slept to repeat the process. Finally the sun rose on the on the three men two of which were back in their human forms one still a dog.
"Harry time to get up you have about an hour before your portkey leaves. It's going to take you right to the Weasley's campsite. Of course they will have it set up for you to have a lie in once you get there." Remus said, giving him a small kick to wake him up.
"Ok I'm going. I'm going." Harry said, rising off the ground.
He threw his clothes on and moved as quickly as he could to get to his room.
"Great Master Harry Potter Sir Dobby has already packed yous a knapsack for yous trip. Knowing yous be tired after the furryness Dobby took the liberty to pack for you. Dobby also got this from Missys Tonksie Pepper-Up Potion. Take it now and it will gives you enough energy for a few hours with friends take it after yous are done resting and yous will make it to the end of the match." Dobby said, giving him his knapsack and the potion.
"Wow thanks Dobby you are a real lifesaver. I imagine it's because I was able to move around more this time but I'm almost more sore than I was last time and definitely more hungry." Harry said gratefully.
"Harry, don't eat anything yet, trust me. It's better to portkey for the first time on an empty stomach and less messy." Sirius said quickly before Harry raided the kitchen.
Harry understood too well what he meant. He went to the kitchen and waited for the portkey to be ready. On the table was a small shoe that had just started to glow blue indicating it was almost time to go. With good-byes and promises to stop in before term started Harry grabbed the shoe after a few minutes felt as though a hook just behind his navel had been suddenly jerked irresistibly forward. His feet left the ground, he was speeding forward in a howl of wind and swirling colors. His feet slammed into the ground and he toppled forward only to be caught by two pairs of hands.
"Easy mate we got ya." Ron said, patting him on the back.
"Was it as rough as last time Harry?" asked Hermione to which he shook his head.
"Welcome Harry to the Quidditch World Cup! Now I know you had a long few days beds all set for you, go ahead and have a rest. I'll come in and get you when the others get here." Arthur said, pushing Harry to the tent.
Harry, not wanting to argue the chance to sleep went willingly in not really noticing how big it was, found the first bed and collapsed for a well deserved rest.
—-
Ok I'm gonna end it here definitely a bigger chapter was hoping to cover a lot got him to the world cup at least next will see the match and the Death Eater raid and hopefully I'll get them to school now I did also realize I left out the dream at the beginning of book four I will address that next chapter as always if you enjoyed give me a follow and feel free to comment.