Archive of Our Own

Sirius sat there, leaning against the northern wall, staring at the floor. For thirteen years he had been in this cell, barely living, blaming himself for the death of his friends. For almost thirteen years he gave no thought to anything else, just dwelling on what he had done wrongs. But that changed yesterday. Yesterday he had overheard the guards. Their conversation knocked sense back into Sirius. The men spoke softly, but not soft enough. During their rounds they gossiped about Liana Phoebe Potter.

The two guards shared with one another the rumors and whispers they had heard. 'Murder' one breathed out. 'Blood money' the other murmured. But the two guards agreed on one thing, 'Marriage'. The two continued gossiping, ignorant of Sirius Black listening. It took a moment but once Sirius understood what he was hearing, rage and despair consumed the man. Sirius howled and screamed, more animal than man at that moment. His actions startling the guards and setting off other prisoners.

Fudge! That worthless sorry excuse for a man. The same one that sentenced him to this hell hole. That man was planning on destroying his little flower's life. Fudge no doubt encouraged and spurred on by money and lies. He had plotted to have Liana married, penniless, and under his control. Sirius howled at the thought or someone touching his Liana, his god daughter.

The hours passed slowly, and with the fading light Sirius plotted.

Two days after his outburst, Sirius made history by escaping Azkaban.

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The first place Sirius headed was to his family's home in London, not to Liana like many thought he would. In his family home Sirius feasted, he ate until he was sick and ate more. Sirius took potions that he forced Kreacher to buy, desperate to fix his damaged body. And between all this Sirius wrote letters. He wrote to his father's old friend, Mr. Smith. A 'generic' and highly trusted 'solicitor' that dealt with less than legal matters. He also wrote to Mr.Smith's associate Mr. Davis. The man was squib of noble blood and a solicitor who mostly practiced muggle law. Lastly, he sent a letter to Gringotts and Petunia.

Over the next three months, Sirius raced towards his goals. Mr. Davis would clear Sirius' name in the muggle world. They would pressure Petunia into giving Sirius guardianship over Liana. Next Sirius worked with Bloodclaw. Together they put the Potter and Black accounts into order. The goblins, unlike the ministry, still recognized Sirius as Liana's magical guardian. To them blood was stronger than some paperwork. With any left over time Sirius would meet with Mr. Smith. They worked on proving his innocence. Something that would be near impossible. Or it would be if Sirius had never seen a picture of a certain rat with Ron Weasley.

Sirius took a risk and wrote to Remus. He wrote everything down. Peter's betrayal, the rat hiding, the whispers and rumors he had heard while in prison. It took time and pleading but Remus believed him. Remus told Sirius he had agreed to teach at Hogwarts. While there he would capture Peter and speak with Liana. It would take time and patience but Remus would help Sirius.

Remus started by getting to know Liana. He tutored her after class, they focused on the Patronus. During practice he talked with Liana about her parents and godfather. Slowly introducing the idea that Sirius was innocent. To his surprise it took very little to convince Liana. When Sirius wrote to her for the first time he asked about it. 

Her response startled both men. When she was younger Liana had found her mother's belongings in the attic. Lily's journal one of them, her last entry was the night before she died. The journal was a goldmine of information. Through it Liana had learned of magic, her parents, and the secrets they kept. Remus and Sirius on the other hand were in disbelief after they read through Lily's journal.

For one, clear as day, there was a passage naming Peter as their secret keeper. It was the next part that tore Sirius apart. Dumbledore was the one to cast the spell, which meant he knew Sirius was innocent. The man could have come forward and cleared Sirius, shown that he never betrayed anyone. But the major blow to both men was the truth about Liana. The Potters had blood adopt her. Both men couldn't care less about that, what hurt them was being kept in the dark. But that wasn't the only surprise for them.

Liana also shared the paperwork she had found in her mother's journal. One of the papers was Liana's original birth certificate. The paper confused the two males. ' Leonora Polly Shelby, born 31 July, 1905 '. Luckily their confusion ended after they read more of Lily's journal. Lily and James had adopted Liana from a wizarding adoption agency.

An agency that had been under investigation during the war. An investigation that was lead by James. During a raid James had seen Liana and had fallen in love, so the Potters adopted her. And a few months after that James had shut down the agency. It was during the adoption process that James had discovered the truth. 

The agency was stealing and smuggling children. Paperwork showed that for certain amounts of cash they would 'find' babies or children. Files showed that the children left were given to others for dark and twisted rituals or potions. The workers used an illegal variation of a time turner, it allowed travel between two points in time. They would take children from poor families- through lies, false paperwork, or force. The agency took almost a 100 children from different times, starting in 1801.

The Potters didn't know what to do. They had already blood adopted Liana, so she was their blood child. But they also felt terrible, another family was missing a child. The worst thing was, that family would never know what had happened to her. Ultimately the Potter couple decided to do nothing. Liana's previous family was almost a hundred years in the past. The only way to contact them was through a illegal variation of the time turner.

Liana shared with Sirius and Remus that as a child she was devastated . A family and unconditional family was once again out of her reach. She told them it was like losing her parents twice. Her words saddened the two men. They knew they had failed Liana. Both men felt even worse once she shared what her life was like with the Dursleys.

She told them of the harsh words and punishments. She told them of her cupboard under the stairs and of her scars. The two were furious, they wanted to do something. But that anger dwindled when they realized they couldn't do anything . It was then that Sirius made a promise to himself. He swore that Liana would have the chance to meet her family. He would make sure she had everything she wanted.

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It was six months into Liana's third year when Sirius received good news. Mr. Davis was able to prove Sirius' innocence in the muggle world. As soon as Sirius received the news he went to Petunia Dursley, she would give him custody of Liana. Otherwise they would have problems. It took very little for Petunia to sign the papers. Sirius was manic with happiness, something Remus and Liana learned to be wary of.

In his state Sirius went on a spree, he made a small dent in the black account. The man went everywhere, eager to explore and see how the world had changed. He bought anything and everything, so long as it caught his eye. But he also focused on spoiling Liana and Remus. A month after the announcement, Sirius sent them each a package with a note. 'Sorry, not sorry' and a shrunken 3 layer trunk filled with gifts. Things Sirius thought they would like or things they had mentioned once or twice.

Over the next few months the good news continued. Remus finally captured Peter, he found him hiding in Hagrid's hut. The rat was in an enchanted cage in Remus' office. Remus took great joy in threatening the rat. Mr. Smith was able to secure a private meeting with Amelia Bones. He was sure that with Bones' help, Peter, and Lily's journal Sirius would be a free man by year's end.

Sirius, Remus, and Liana were ecstatic and emboldened. Over the next month they would avoid dementors and meet in the Shrieking Shack. Sirius and Liana could finally spend time bonding and talking face to face. During their talks the two men learned so much about Liana. They listened to her talk about her fears, hopes, dreams, and everything in between . The men told Liana about the Potter family, stories about her parents, and more.

"When I left the Dursleys I was so hopeful. I imagined this place would be home, people would accept me, and I'd have a place to belong. But I found none of those things. Everyone was expecting me to be brave, strong, and exactly like the Potters." Liana sniffled, but continued telling them how she felt.

"When I didn't do something or act like they expected they treated me differently . They acted cold and judging. Some of the students and professors even lecture or berate me about acting the 'proper way'. At some point I stopped trying to be me, and instead I behaved like the Liana Potter they wanted." Sirius wrapped his arm around his god daughter, she looked so small and vulnerable.

"After all no one wants a hero that is quiet and shy. No one wants a hero that likes sewing or knitting or pretty things. A Hero , isn't  terrified of facing Voldemort or a basilisk. They don't think my dreams of family and children are heroic or exciting. But that's me- quiet and shy Liana, who just wants to be loved ."

The only sound for a few seconds was Liana's soft crying. Remus reached out and stroked her hair. "Yes those things may not be exciting. But it doesn't mean you aren't strong or heroic or brave. It's fine if you're shy and quiet, and it's fine if you're scared. Everyone gets scared, Liana. Sirius and I will love you no matter what, and will support what ever dream or hobbies you have. And if people want or demand that you change, they aren't people you need in your life. Liana, be you, Sirius and I will deal with the rest."

The end of Remus' short speech had Liana sobbing. No one had ever said they loved her, nor had anyone ever told her it was okay to be her. Everyone wanted her to be different. The Dursleys' wanted her to be quiet, downtrodden, and normal. Hermione wanted her to be fierce, independent, and a revolutionary. On and on it went, she was never enough. But, these two men had accepted her and everything about her.

Sirius and Remus sat with Liana until she stopped crying. Trying to cheer her up they spoke about their plans. Plans for the future, what they would do as a family. Like traveling the world, or going on great adventures. Sirius' ideas and plans become more grand, spurred on by Liana's laughter. When he paused for breath, Liana shyly asked if all three of them could find information on her Shelby family . Remus gave her a soft smile, "Of course."

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Unfortunately life doesn't always goes as planned. Sirius hadn't heard from Mr. Smith since his meeting with Bones two days ago. He was pacing with stress- where was Smith, had they made a deal, was there going to be a trial? His questions were answered when he opened the morning paper. ' Francis Smith and Amelia Bones, Traitors!'

Sirius froze in fear and shock, what had happened. He frantically read through the article. Their meeting was reported to Fudge by a ' anonymous ' source. When the minister went to talk with Bones he 'overheard' her conversation. He had heard the two talking about freeing and helping Sirius Black. 'Something only a Death Eater or supporter of Voldemort would do'.

Bones and Smith fought the arrest. During the fight Bones' office had gone up in flames. Accidentally destroying evidence, paper work, and a family pet. Fudge had them arrested and tried in a private trial. They were found guilty and sentenced to a Dementor's kiss that night. To stop any worry and fear the Minister promised two things. One was the Aurors cracking down on other You-Know-Who supporters. The other was an immediate increase in the amount of people looking for Black.

"No! No no no no!" Sirius raged, he was so close ! SO CLOSE! He screamed, overturning the table in his anger. His feelings were so strong and fierce that his magic slipped out and destroyed part of the room. The outburst helped Sirius calm down, he clenched his fists and breathed slow and deep. His mind was racing, frantically thinking. He couldn't run to the Muggle world. His freedom and guardianship over Liana in the muggle world meant nothing to wizards.

If his god daughter tried to live with him, she would be hunted down. They would never be able to live in peace. It was on his third going over of the situation that Sirius was struck , the time turners! He had gone through private channels and businesses, all for the two illegal turners in his room. Sirius tore out of the room, he frantically summoned everything he could think of. Shoving it all into his trunk, and shrinking it. As he was shoving the time turners into his pocket, Sirius felt the wards shudder.

Once again he flew through the house. Reaching the basement just as the wards shattered. He pushed furniture around trying to get to the tunnel he knew was there. The door above him creaked as it was hit . Cursing Sirius finally found the tunnel, rushing he transformed, and ran through the darkness .

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The Black family had owned the land the townhouse was on for centuries. But the townhouse was a relatively new addition. Every Black born after the townhouse was built were shown the tunnel in the basement. It was a last resort for the family, a last ditch effort, a way for them to escape. As Sirius ran through the tunnels he thanked his paranoid relatives. He slowed to a stop in the cavernous room, panting he look for the small marking that would tell him where he needed to go. Moving quickly he passed several tunnels, near the bottom of the sixth one he saw it. A small etching of a circle, this was the tunnel that opened near the Leaky Cauldron. Once again Sirius sprinted into the dark.

By the time he emerged from the underground labyrinth it was dark. Sirius was careful to avoid people and attention as he entered the Leaky Cauldron. He willed his magic to hide him, as he walked to the entrance of the Alley no one paid him attention. Seeing the brick wall open helped calm Sirius, he paused for a moment before rushing off to the bank. Months ago he had spoke to Bloodclaw about what to do if this happened. He had told the goblin to empty every account in the Black and Potter name. Something that would take time. But he was sure the goblin started the process upon reading the newspaper that morning.

And Sirius was right. Upon entering the goblin's office he saw numerous goblins. Each one carrying bags of the Black and Potter fortune to enchanted trunks. Sirius approached Bloodclaw and waited for the busy goblin to acknowledge him. "Ah, Black. Just in time. As you requested months ago, I started emptying the vaults when I saw the paper. It is a shame. Gringotts is... disappointed , at losing your business." Bloodclaw gave the man a bloodthirsty smile, "As you know we will be charging extra for the inconvenience caused . The vaults should be empty by midnight." Sirius nodded and looked at the clock- four more hours.

Sirius dropped a few coins in front of Bloodclaw, "I need an owl sent to Remus Lupin." The goblin looked at him before nodding, Sirius moved hastily . He grabbed a quill and extra parchment on the desk. 'Wards broken, grabbing money, meet at shack with flower. Midnight .' He handed the note to Bloodclaw who waved over a younger goblin, "Have an owl deliver this to Remus Lupin."

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Remus held Liana close as they crept through the castle. They were under the Invisibility Cloak and magic helped to muffle their steps. But Remus was cautious and took extra care to avoid any patrols. Fudge had sent extra Aurors and Dementors to Hogwarts that morning. They along with the professors had been patrolling the castle and it's grounds. He thought it would be easier once they were outside, but he was wrong. There were multiple groups of Dementors and Aurors walking the grounds.

' Lovely , just lovely .' Remus breathed in deeply , forcing himself to calm down and focus. He spent the next few minutes watching how the groups moved. He quickly noticed a pattern, and moved. Cautiously they made their way to the Whomping Willow, and entered the tunnel hidden in it's roots.

Remus was hyper vigilant the whole time. Slightly letting his guard down when they entered the shack. They stood in silence, waiting. He drew his wand and twisted when the floors to his right creaked. But relaxed and smiled when he saw the faint outline of Padfoot. Liana whipped off her cloak and threw herself at him. She buried her face in his fur, "Sirius what are we going to do? All our evidence is gone and there's a nation wide man hunt for you. Everything we wanted-" Both men could hear her voice waver, but Liana held back her tears.

Liana was still hugging Sirius as he transformed back. He pulled the time turners from his pocket. He put the larger one around his neck and the smaller one around Liana. "We're going to be a real family Liana. We promised you. But maybe some time away is our best option." Remus groaned at Sirius' joke. "Now my flower, these are different from normal time turners. They move you back by decades. So, when I tell you to, I need you to turn it ten times. Notice the size difference. Yours is for one person and mine for multiple peo-"

Sirius stiffened and looked around, a tense silence had fallen over the shack. A deep despair fills the air as frost rapidly covers their surrounds. Remus and Sirius shove Liana into the corner and shield her from view. Sirius screams at her as the wall in front of them explodes into splinters. "Now Flower! Use it now, ten turns!" Remus turns to her as Sirius throws up a shield, "We'll be right behind you." Liana stops at ten turns and the world around her spins violently.