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Chapter Text

Harry gapes at the image before him, a young Sirius. His eyes widen as he watches the boy smile and laugh wholeheartedly. His gaze travels towards the others near him, his father, Professor Lupin, and Wormtail, all huddled together snickering quietly. Just as he approaches them, the back of his robe is snatched and he's yanked away. He gulps and stares at Snape in horror, eyes widen as the man snarls down at him. 

“Get out."

Harry doesn't argue, sprinting away as quickly as his legs allow him to. Running up stairs, dashing madly for the gryffindor tower. His breath hitches as that voice echoes down the hall, Umbridge. His eyes dart around the corridor wildly before his eyes meet those of the dancing troll’s. He exhales harshly, sprinting across the hall three times, opening the door and rushing inside without even thinking. He groans right before darkness consumes him, unconsciousness hitting him like a ton of bricks. Perhaps he should have thought about what he wanted from the room more clearly. 

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His eyes meet the bewildered ones of a young Madam Pomfrey. He chokes on his saliva as he stares at her.

“You are definitely not Mr. Potter. After all the times he's been in my infirmary I know his eye color, and that is not it. Yet you look identical to him, what is your name, child? Are you related to the Potter’s by any chance?”

Harry gulps, staring at her in horror, “er… maybe get them before? Just so they can explain, I'm not sure how much they want to be told.”

Her eyes light up and Harry grimaces, “oh! Of course! I'll go fetch them right away, deary.”

Harry sighs as he watches her go, all he wanted to do was get away from Umbridge, yet here he was in the past, spreading rumors of a hidden Potter child of unknown origins. His eyes widen at the signal of the floo activating, already?

“Where is he? I swear to Merlin if that boy has broken another bone I will kill him!”

“Now dear-”

“Don't you dear me, Charles! James has been in the infirmary more than a dozen times this year and it's not even November! I have a right to be mad and you bloody well know it.”

Harry stares at the couple in awe as they approach his grandparents. He had never seen them before, not even a photo was left of them. The woman, his grandmother, was utterly gorgeous, her long black hair flowing elegantly behind her and her snarl of rage was mesmerizing. Harry smiles, perhaps that was where his temper had come from. His grandfather had the same massy hair that harry had, but unlike his wife, he was calm, gentle as he approached beside her. They turn in unison, only to stop and stare when they spot him there, gaping in confusion.

“I'll leave you three be,” Madame Pomfrey says.

Harry sighs in relief as he watches the medi witch leave, staring back at his grandparents with tears in his eyes. 

“Who are you? The Potters have no living relatives left, I would know that.”

The tears finally flow at his grandfather's words, “not now, but in the future you do.”

His statement stops them dead in their tracks, eyes scanning him, they stop at his eyes.

“Charles dear, what was the name of the muggleborn James has a crush on again?”

“Lily Evans, I believe it was, Dorea darling.”

Dorea nods slowly, “and what color were her eyes?”

He gulps as he looks back at Harry, “green. Emerald green, just like his.”

She nods sharply, “that’s what I thought. What's your name?”

Harry stares at her before slowly opening his mouth to whisper, “Harry James Potter, Ma’am.”

Her eyes narrow at him, “prove you are who you say you are.”

His eyes widen and he stares at her in a panic, how was he supposed to do that? A shiver envelopes him before it disappears, the couple before him inhaling sharply. 

“He’s telling the truth, Dorea, he truly is from the future.”

Harry looks down at his body and he gapes, it is gone, invisible. His teeth dig into his lip as he touches the silken fabric of the invisibility cloak in wonder. He smiles at them both.

“I’m Harry, I was born in 1981, I came from 1995. I didn't mean to, I swear!” 

Charles smirks, ducking his head before Dorea could see. His grandmother’s eyes narrow on Harry in response.

“You are just like your father aren't you? Always getting in trouble and getting hurt?”

Harry blushes, “I don't go looking for trouble! It just always finds me!”

She scoffs, her lips curling into the slightest of smiles as she looks down at him, “that is exactly what James would say. Now, I think we have a story to come up with, yes, gentleman? We can hardly tell the truth.”

Harry smiles at her widely, watching as she conjures a chair beside his bed happily before sitting near him. Perhaps looking into the pensive hadn’t been such a bad idea after all.

Chapter Text

The snap shots did nothing justice. Everything Harry knew was false. It was almost an entirely new world. There were at least twenty more shops along Diagonally. He sucks in a deep breath, staring at the multitude of wixen surrounding him. Far more than he was used to, nearly becoming claustrophobic with how many more there were. 

“Come along, Harry dear. We’re nearly at Gringotts. We simply need to make a withdrawal for your things.”

“I'll pay you back! I swear!”

Dorea scoffs, “nonsense! It’s your money too! You could spend every knut in our vaults and I'd just smile at you happily! Now come, we have some business to attend to.”

Gulping, Harry follows as instructed, ignoring his grandfather's snickering behind him. 

“Vault 686, please.” 

The goblin grumbles, looking up from his counting with a grimace before showing them towards another, “Grunhook will take you.”

His grandmother nods sharply before continuing on her way, following the goblin without protest. Harry frowns as he follows along, had they changed vault numbers in the future? His confusion must have been obvious to Dorea because she frowns at him as she glances back.

“What ever is the matter, my dear?”

“Er, well, my vault in the future. It’s vault 687. Not 686. Did it change in the future?”

His grandmother stops dead.

“What do you mean your vault was 687?”

“Er, that's the number that was on my vault?”

Dorea slowly turns around fully to face him, “Harry. Be fully honest with me dear. Is that your only vault in the future?” 

“Yes?”

Dorea clenches her teeth, narrowing her eyes dangerously as she does so.

“Well then. Someone did you a grave injustice, let's make one thing clear, Harry darling. The Potter family is one of the oldest in all of wizarding Britain. There is a reason my family allowed me to marry your grandfather, after all. We do not only have one vault. The vault you were using was a trust fund. Given to children of the family for their schooling and childhood. Their allowance if you will. Our vaults span into double digits, some with coin, others with priceless heirlooms within. Now, come along, I will no doubt be explaining everything further once we arrive back home. You will need as much knowledge as I can give you before the new term begins.” 

Mind a complete whirlwind, Harry simply follows along. Multiple vaults? Heirlooms? He gulps, how had he not known any of this before? The swooping of his stomach has nearly nothing to do with the cart ride down to their vault. He can't even enjoy the ride as his nerves eat away at himself. 

A hand rests on his knee, stooping the incessant shaking, “don't you worry, kiddo. Well get everything figured out. And just remember, you're here with us now. You never have to worry about the past ever again. Just think of the future, this future.”

Harry smiles up at his grandfather, leaning on the man’s figure slightly. His smile grows as an arm wraps around his shoulders, hugging him tightly. They stay there even as Dorea collects the money they need, only moving once they arrive back at the ground level of the bank.

“Come now, dear, we’ll grab a seat at Tulip’s. The cafe is such a cute little spot, perfect for our chat.”

“In other words, the booths are warded and silenced, it is the gossip station for many witches after all.”

Harry snickers slightly at Charles’ whispered words, “I'm sure they were the only ones disappointed when it went out of business, then.”

His eyebrows raise in surprise, “it went out of business? That place has been there almost as long as Ollivanders! Sure it's been renovated, but it's never even shown hints of going under.”

Harry frowns, “who owns it? Maybe they just changed the name or something.” 

“The McKinnons of course! I heard it was going to their daughter Marlene when she graduated.”

Harry gulps, understanding dawning as he looks away from the earnest face in front of him. He had never heard the name Marlene before, but McKinnon definitely rang a bell. The family had been completely wiped out in the war with Voldemort. He scans the alleyway with new eyes, were all of these shops gone in his time because of how many were killed? 

His gaze meets his grandfathers once more as he hardens his expression, “they died. A lot of people did. And I'm going to do something about it.”

Charles’ expression twists, “died, all of them? And what are you planning, son? You’re not even 16!”

Harry straightens his stance, standing tall as he follows his grandmother, “I'm not. But I have what no one here does, knowledge of the future. I know how to at least slow him down, if I can do that then we can give us enough time to figure out how to get rid of him altogether.”

“Terrible things-”

“-happen to wizards that meddle with time. Yes I know. My best friend was a genius, after all. But I have to take the chance, I have to.” 

They stop before the door of the cafe, staring at one another before Charles finally signs and dips his head, “I'm on your side, harry. Whatever you decide I'll be right there with you. Tell me what we need to do and we'll do it, but don't forget you have people you can rely on alright?”

Harry’s smile widens as he looks up at him, a person, an adult to actually rely on. He had never had that before. 

“I won't forget, ever.” 

The little golden bell at the top of the door jingles merrily as they enter and as he follows his grandfather to meet Dorea again, he catches a glimpse of someone he hadn't expected to ever see again. 

Bellatrix Lestrange. 

Chapter Text

He freezes, staring at her from across the cafe. She…she was smiling. And not in that mad way of her future self, no, it was a genuine smile. Her teeth are straight and white, her skin pearly white and perfect, no longer taunt and caked in dirt. Her hair was tame, not masses of unruly tresses that made his look neat. His eyes travel to the women sitting across from her, Narcissa and Andromeda. Both nearly 20 years younger and happy. Neither of them have stress related wrinkles, and no forlorn expressions plague their faces. His mouth falls open as he stares at the small bump in Andromeda’s dress. Tonks. His eyes travel from one sister to the next. Had they snuck out to see their sister? Or had she yet to be kicked out of the family? 

“Harry?” 

Shaking his head, he turns to look at his grandparents. Faces full of concern, they look between him and the sisters.

“Would you like to go talk to them? They would be delighted to meet a relative, especially coming from their Aunt Dorea.”

He glances back at the sisters before shaking his head and smiling at his grandmother, “maybe next time. It just surprised me to see them. I dont think I'm ready to talk to them just yet.”

They both nod, directing him away from the table, towards the one Dorea had chosen, completely unaware of the attention they had drawn from the Black sisters.

“He looked as if he had seen a ghost when he saw me, Cissa!”

The only blond of the three frowns, staring at the boy as he’s led away, “he is with Aunty Dorea, maybe he's a black? Perhaps you look like a relative he knew and lost.”

“He looks too much like Charles though. Another Potter clone,” Andromeda pipes in.

“Maybe he's like their son, James? A mix of a Black and Potter?”

Cissa scoffs, “please. Like Uncle Arcturus would ever let that happen without making a big deal of it.”

Andromeda licks her lips and starts hesitantly, “maybe… maybe one of his parents was a squib? Did we ever find out what happened to Uncle Marius?” 

The other two pause, looking back at the boy before glancing at one another.

 “That could be it,” Bellatix admits.

“We’ll just have to wait and see, now won't we?” 

The two sisters look at Cissa and nod, going back to their earlier conversation before the boy had derailed it. 

Darting a final glance at the sisters, Harry settles down at the seat across from his grandparents.

“Now then, Harry darling, we have a lot to cover.

At the end of the discussion Harry simply stares at his plate he had barely touched. He had had multiple vaults in his time. His grandparents had assured him the impossibility of it all being spent in such a short time. Their fortune had been accumulating since before the Potters had been called The Potters. Even his invisibility cloak was nearly eight hundred years old. Even if he had bought the entirety of nearly every major corporation in the world, he still would have money left over. The only families to have them beat financially were the Blacks, Malfoys, and Lestranges. 

Harry blinks as he comprehends that; the Blacks, the Malfoys, the Lestranges, and the Potters.

“What other families were rich? Well, are rich?”

His grandparents frown and look at one another, “you don't know?”

Harry bites his lip, shame curling up from deep inside of him as he shakes his head, “just, just please answer it.”

Dorea gulps and nods, “the Longbottoms are directly after us, sometimes they over take or spot but we have been up the past decade. Bones would be next, then McKinnon I believe. After that things get a bit complicated due to many changing and shifting places each year.”

Harry nods, horror filling his mind as he remembers his time, “would you believe me if I said those houses were all either wiped out or nearly wiped out?”

Charles and Dorea freeze, staring at him in horror, “what?”

Harry nods at their near silent whisper, “Mckinnon was wiped out entirely. Malfoy only has three members left, two actually blood related, the Lestranges are the same. The Longbottoms and Bones only have two. And then there’s me, the last Potter. As for the Black family, well that's a bit complicated. There were only two left that hadn't been knocked off the family tree when I left, but both of them had married into other families. And there were only two other blood related members, but they were cast out.”

Dorea’s face pales, “we died out?”

Harry nods, looking back down at his plate, “I think so? Unless you count a cast out member as continuing the line.”

“You can't,” she chokes out, “once you are cast out of the family you have no way of becoming the Lord. You only have access to your heir vault, if that. Your children would have no hopes of ever gaining the title and the Black house refuses any women to gain the title, let alone their children. Only the son’s lines may get the title.”

Harry nods, “then the Black family died out years ago. I think the last one to go was Walburga? I think she died around 1985 or something? But Orion died a few years before her.”

“What about Sirius? And Regulus?”

Harry bites his lip and looks at them, “do you really want to know?”

They glance between one another, their expressions hardening before they look back at him, “we are with you, Harry. We will not allow this man to ruin our world. We will take him down, no matter what it takes. You telling us what happened to Sirius, our son. And Regulus, my nephew, will only give us more fuel and push us harder to destroy this man.” 

Harry nods, “there's no easy way to say this, but Regulus died when he was 18. I don't know how but Sirius said he was forced to join Voldemort and died in action.”

He pauses as Dorea lets out a harsh sob, a hand covering her mouth as she collapses.

“18? My baby Nephew died at 18?”

Harry nods sadly, “he was one of the first Blacks to go from what I remember.”

“What about Sirius? What about my baby boy?”

Harry looks away, “Sirius was still alive when I left.”

“Oh thank Merlin!”

“But sometimes… sometimes I think he wished he wasn't.”

He stares straight ahead, refusing to look at them, not wanting to see the horror spread across their faces.

“What… what do you mean?”

“He, well there was a lot of confusion at the end of the first war. He was thought to be guilty when he wasn’t. They sent him to Askaban.”

“Azkaban!”

Harry nods, a little smile curling his lips as he continues, “he was and still is the first and only person to escape Azkaban without outside help.” 

They gape at him and he grins, “he can be damn determined when he wants to be. He escaped Azkaban within 24 hours after he learned that the real traitor was near me and a threat to my life.” 

Their own sad grins form as they listen to Harry, “that does sound like my baby.”

“He may be a little shit at times, but one thing I know about my boy is that his loyalty knows no bounds!”

Harry grins and laughs loudly at his grandfather's exclamation, “he’s one of the most loyal people I’ve ever met. My friend Ron being another. We had our tough times, but Ron was loyal to the end.”

“I'm glad you had people in your time that took care of you, darling.”

Harry smiles at his grandmother, “me too. Me too.”

Chapter Text

“Now, who were the other surviving members of the Black family? I'm assuming at least one of the Sisters survived?”

Harry bites his lip, “actually, all of them did.”

Their eyebrows raise and then Charles lets out a loud laugh, “I shouldn't be surprised, those three always were a crafty bunch!”

Harry smiles, “Nacissa became a Malfoy. Andromeda was cast out for marrying a muggleborn and having his child. And then Bellatrix, well she's another sad one.”

They sigh, darting a glance back at the sisters, “let me guess, the darling finally gave into the Black madness?”

Harry looks at Dorea, surprised, “how did you know?”

His grandmother shakes her head sadly, “the poor dear has struggled with it her entire life. Her parents make it worse. Being the eldest, she… well she took a lot of punishments for the other two. She was already bad as a child, struggling with her attention span, having these bad thoughts that she could never escape. I once…” Dorea chokes, tears gathering in her eyes, “I once found her with a wrist slit open, her wand pointed at the other, ready to take her own life. I've tried to convince her to see a healer, a mind healer, anything. She refused each and every time. I've always been terrified to find her dead, finally taking her own life, or for her to finally give into the madness. I truly don't know which option is worse to be honest with you.”  

Harry gulps, glancing back to the sisters, only to find them gone. He looks back at his grandmother, “we can stop it. We will stop it.”

She nods her face set like stone, “oh we will, my dear, of that I can assure you.” 

Charles coughs, “I think it would be best to write all of this down. Start a record that we keep hidden in the vault at home. That way we get everything written down so if Harry ever forgets something we already have it somewhere for us to find.”

The other two look at one another and nod solemnly, “shall we, then?

Harry nods at his grandmother. The group slowly rises from their seats, each one with deep thoughts whirling through their mind as they make their way out of the cafe. Harry sighs as they enter the chaotic street, watching as the swarm of wixen travel past. He smiles, he would make sure they lived, even if he had to give up the future he knew so well. 

The manor was more than Harry expected, it was a bloody manor. He felt like Malfoy! Sure he had known to expect something like this, yet seeing was far different than thinking. Even in his wildest imagination he had not come up with anything as grand and extravagant as this. It was absurd to know this was how all of his family had lived. 

He trails his grandparents as he hopelessly tries to remember the way they come. He loses track after 5 turns. They slow their pace as they reach another open end, leading to what Harry presumes to be the final room. 

“This is my office, son. It will be warded anytime you try to enter without my permission.”

Harry nods and then blinks, son. The man had called him that earlier, yet Harry had been too absorbed in his own thoughts to realize it. He nearly tears up as he follows the two inside the office. 

“Have a seat, darling. Charles dear, would you go gather some parchment and a quill for each of us? We can take separate notes on our thoughts and opinions while we have a dicta quill to write down our conversion.”

Charles grins at her, “lovely idea as always, my love.” 

And off they went, going over their last conversation before continuing into other, dark and depressing, topics. His grimace is obvious as they gasp in synch and stare at him in horror once he arrives at his school years. He squirms uneasily as the very air goes tense, their fury clear as he continues. 

“I will kill that man.”

“Er… you mean Voldemort?”

His grandfather scoffs, “him too! But no, I mean Dumbedore! That old fool let a cerberus into the castle willingly? Not to mention the Philosopher's Stone! And a Basilisk? That man is dead. ”

“Well…it's not really his fault! He was doing his best-”

“No. no he was not, Harry. That man’s best is far better than those crackpot plans you just told me. It's almost as if…” he pauses, staring hard at Harry for a moment before scowling, “almost as if he was testing you for something. We are making an appointment with a healer for you immediately, no arguing.”

Harry gulps and nods, not even daring to in the face of his fierce grandfather. 

Silence rings out for a long moment, before finally Charles sighs, “we’ve gotten far enough today. Let's all take a break to calm down, would you prefer coffee or tea, Harry?”

“Er, tea. I don't much like coffee.”

Charles hums, “not a clone of James then, that boy is obsessed with coffee. Far too young in my opinion too.”

Dorea laughs, “oh please! I was half James' age when my coffee addiction started!”

Charles rolls his eyes, “yes and look where that has gotten you.”

She huffs at him, turning to look at Harry in exasperation, “do you hear what I have to deal with all the time, Harry dear? He's terrible!”

Harry grins, “it seems to me he's only trying to save your heart, all that coffee can be good for it, after all.”

“Posh! It will only make my heart tougher I say! Don't go siding with him now, Harry!”

Harry shrugs, grins till in place, “no can do, Grandma, gotta stay true to myself.”

They smile at him, “see Dorea? Another sane person agrees with me!”

She shakes her head, amused as she tugs on her coffee mug floating before her, “shush, you. Now tuck in, the house elves didn't go through all this effort just for you to let it grow cold!”

Harry looks down at the platters of appetizers before him and smiles. Looking back up at the still bickering couple before him, he thinks I could get used to this, very fast.  

Chapter Text

His hands shake as he follows his grandparents into the waiting room of St. Mungos. The Potter name had a lot of pull even before he had become The Boy-Who-Lived, his title had just progressed him into being near royalty within the wizarding world. His grandfather had gotten him an appointment within hours of their conversation, meaning Harry had no time to back out of it. He exhales shakily as he ducks his head, watching his grandmother's feet as they quickly push through the crowd to the examination room. 

“Here we are!” The nurse exclaims, I'll leave you three here for the healer to find. Is there anything I can do for you while you wait?”

“Not thank you, we'll be fine until they arrive.”

"Perfect,” the bubbly woman says, "if you need anything before then just press the button on the side of the door!”

Dorea sighs as she leaves, “sit down, darling. You look as if youre about to faint. It'll be okay. Even if we find out something terrible the healers can manage it. They are not called world class for no reason, you know.”

Harry nods, still wringing his hands wildly. Another sigh leaves Dorea as she marches up to him. Taking his hands in her own, she soothingly runs them up and down, prying them apart as she does so.

“Listen to me, darling. You will be fine. We will be here the entire time. Their examinations are all very non-invasive and only include them waving their wand above you. It's the same for almost any other procedure you could possibly get too. There are only perhaps five surgeries in existence in the wizarding world that include them being near you without a wand. None of which you could possibly need. Worst comes to worse you end up being put under as they wave their wand to fix something or you are sent home with potion prescriptions. That is the absolute worst thing that could happen today, Harry.”

He inhales deeply, nodding solemnly and he gives her a shaky smile, “thank you.”

“Think nothing of it, dear.”

He stiffens as a knock sounds at the door, “come in!”

He stares at his grandfather in horror, no, no! They cannot come in, thank you very much!”

“We're here for a check up for one Harry Potter, correct?”

“That is correct,” Dorea states, standing tall beside Harry.

“Perfect! Now Harry, I am Healer Graves, do you have any questions before we begin?”

Harry silently shakes his head, unable to speak.

“Very well then,” Healer Graves gives him a calm smile as he continues, “I will explain everything I do so you always know what to expect, okay?”

Harry nods, his heart lodged in his throat as he does so.

“This first examination will give me a record of all the vaccinations you have been given, the next will be your position usage. The next will be your health history, finally I will test for any genetic oddities such as a creature inheritance or other such things.”

Harry’s eyes widen as he jerks his head to look over at Dorea who smiles calmly at him, “the Potter’s have no history of creature blood, darling. You will be fine.”

He nods, inhaling again as he turns back to the healer.

He smiles once more before slowly removing his wand from its holster, “may I?”

Harry nods once, gripping Dorea’s hand tightly as he watches the healer wave his wand swiftly over Harry.

The man hums as he looks over the sheet of parchment that had appeared from the spell, “it seems you missed a few vaccinations as a child but all of that was rectified at age eleven. I will now move onto the second spell for your potion usage.”

This time a furrow appears between his eyebrows as he looks between the paper and his charge, “when you were twelve, were there any…odd occurrences?”

Harry bites his lip and looks away, Charles sighs, “he told us of this just yesterday. He said something about a Basilisk and a Phoenix, is that perhaps what you are seeing?”

The healer nods still looking puzzled, “yes, but there is also a rather large dosage of skele-gro earlier on in the year.”

Dorea and Charles both look at Harry, puzzled at the information, Harry blushes.

“Er… I didn't think that was important?”

Dorea narrows her eyes, “what was not important, Harry dear?”

“Well… my defense professor tried to heal my broken arm and accidentally vanished it instead? And then the actual healer at the school had to regrow it all instead of just setting it like she should have.”

They gape at him in horror, “vanished your arm! I will definitely be looking at that," Healer Graves exclaims, “now, the third then. This one is the health record.”

Harry nods, looking at his grandparents warily, they would not be happy about this one. 

The healer waves his wand and another piece of parchment appears. It unravels, and unravels and keeps unraveling. He gulps as they all watch in terror as it hits the floor, only to continue lengthening. 

Healer Graves inhales, “Mister Potter, this is the longest sheet I have ever seen and I have dealt with veteran hit wizards and Unspeakables.” 

Ducking his head, Harry hunches over and stares at his hands, unable to speak once more. Dorea grapes his hand gently as she stares at the parchment. 

“Focus on the major things for now, Healer. Then go over the sheet once we leave and if there is more that needs to be addressed we will make individual appointments for each.”

Healer Graves nods, quickly scanning the paper before another nod escapes him, “very well. I can see a few things that will be addressed today but first I will take care of the final exam. This one is for the genetic oddities.”

Once more waving his wand, the Healer’s eyebrows raise in surprise as he looks down at the results, “well I believe congratulations are in order, Harry. You are a carrier.”

Dorea and Charles gasp, surprise and a bit of awe filling their faces as they look at him.

His eyes widen as he looks between them all, confusion coating his words as he asks, “carrier? What's that? Is it bad?”

“Bad? Hardly! There hasn't been a carrier in the family in centuries, son! It means you can carry and birth your own children. If that is something you would prefer, of course.”

He gapes, staring at the piece of parchment, his own awe filling him as the words repeat over and over in his head. Carry and birth his own children. 

“I can?” he breaths out.

“You can,” dorea assures gently.

His smile is the largest and brightest he thinks it's ever been as he looks back up at all of them. 

“Thank you.”

“Don't thank me, Harry. Thank mother magic for giving you this gift,” Healer Graves replies. 

Chapter Text

Healer Graves scans Harry’s sheets quickly once more before nodding, “here's what I will do. Today you will go home with a few potions for malnutrition, appetite boosting, organ health, and sleep inducers. You will take one of each right before bed each night for two weeks and then you will come back for a follow up. By then I should be through these sheets and be able to do the next procedures on you. For today I will simply do a few more through examinations on specific areas to ensure you are healthy enough to leave. How does that sound?”

Harry nods, happy at the thought of so little needing to be done.

“Good. now try to stay as still as possible during these. Any movement could cause a false report. I will start with your legs and then work my way up to your head, yes?”

Harry nods and quickly stills, watching the Healer as he waves his wand over his lower half.

Nodding, the healer sighs, “exactly as I expected. We’ll do further check ups on your legs but for now all I can do is give you those potions. Now your torso.”

Another wave and another sigh, “we might need to hit your organs harder than expected, we will see once you begin your potion regime. Your kidney is especially mad at you, but no matter, you will be right as rain in just a few months under my care. Finally I will check your head and neck.”

Another wave of the man’s wand but this time silence fills the room as the man simply stares at the results.

“Healer Graves? Is there something the matter?”

The healer looks at Dorea with wide eyes, “as a matter of fact," he chokes out, “there is. Your…son, is hosting a Horcrux within that cursed scar of his.”

Dorea pales, stumbling backwards as her grip on Harry tightens, “a…a Horcrux?”

Charles rushes over to them both, grasping Harry’s other hand in his own, “what is a Horcrux? Dorea, Healer?”

“A horcrux,” the haler begins, “is a piece of another’s soul intentionally ripped out of its host's body and placed into another item. Typically the new item is inanimate, yet it seems someone chose Harry here as a host for their soul.”

Harry pales and then green rushes to his face. Gagging, he hunches over as vomit courses up his throat and out of his mouth.

“It's him. It's him, I know it is. Get it out! Get it out!” 

Healer Graves gulps, “I will not take it out immediately. I have to ensure your survival before doing so. I will begin researching as soon as you leave and I will recruit as many healers and experts as I can to help. I will notify you all the second I find out anything and will tell you when the extraction surgery will occur.”

The trio stare at Healer graves solemnly, the elder two nod as they rub Harry’s back soothingly.

“Very well, then,” Dorea says, “do be quick. I refuse to allow that leech to stay within my son for any longer than necessary.”

Healer Graves nods quickly, “as do I, Lady Potter. Now, here are your prescriptions. Give them to the secretary before you leave and they will be owled to your home straight away. If you'll excuse me, I have much work to get to. Take your time in leaving, this room is not scheduled for use the rest of the day.”

Finally, the man spins on his heel and rushes out the door, carrying piles of parchment with him as he goes. The three simply sit there, horror rushing through their veins as they think of just what was inside of Harry. 

Charles stiffens, that disgusting old fool knew. He knew about the Horcrux. That was why he was testing Harry all that time. He shudders as he looks back down at Harry, never again , never again would Harry have to go through that, I refuse to allow it. 

“Come now, Harry dear, let's get you home,” Dorea whispers gently as she cleans up his mess.

Charles clears his throat, “yes, lets.”

Straigheting, he gently grabs Harry and pulls him into his arms, “come on son, we're going home. Dorea, my love, would you take his prescriptions to the secretary? I'll get him home.”

She nods quickly, “yes! Yes of course!”

He sighs as he watches her go, kissing the crown of Harry's head, “go to sleep Harry, well deal with this for you. You have nothing to worry about, son.”

Harry sighs, his eyelids suddenly heavy as his head falls onto his grandfather's shoulder, barely even registering the twisting feeling of their apperation. 

Hours later, he groans as he wakes up, stirring and rolling over.

“Harry dear, wake up sweetheart.”

He grumbles quietly, peeling his eyes open to peer at his smiling grandparents, “come on son. Wake up, we’ve got dinner all ready for you, not to mention dessert!” 

Harry smiles and pushes himself up, frowning when he can't find his glasses.

“Here you go darling. I didn't want you to roll over onto them so I took them off.”

“Thank you,” he rasps.

“Of course, oh and here! Drink up darling.”

Taking the glass of water gratefully, he gulps it down quickly.

“Careful, son! Don't want to choke.”

Harry laughs slightly as he slows down, grinning at his grandfather as he does so. 

He sighs as he finishes the glass, looking down at it and frowning as the day's events come back to him. Gulping, he looks up at his grandparents.

“What do we do? What if… what if it influenced me?”

His grandfather scoffs, “influenced you? Please! You act nothing like that fool! You have far too many of James and even our mannerisms that you being influenced by that thing are impossible!  The mannerisms I don't recognize must be from your mother or the people around you in your past! Nothing about you screams possession or even influences. Trust me, son. Dorea knows all about possession and influences from her time as a Black. If you had seemed like you were under the influence of someone else we would have been more concerned about its presence. All we need to worry about now is getting it out. It may be a bit tricky but worse comes to worse we just beg and plead with the Goblins for them to get it out. They’re masters at dealing with Horcruxes and removing the soul from objects. You have absolutely nothing to worry about!” 

“Really?” Harry blinks, “then why didn't someone notice before and get it out?”

Charles flinches, “I believe… well I believe it was that Headmaster of yours. I think he knew. And that was why he was testing you all those years.”

Harry blinks, then blinks again, “he… he wouldn't…”

His mouth drops open as he rethinks his entire world. The stone, the chamber, Sirius, the dementors, the tournament, Snape's occlumency lessons.  

Harry gulps, “he knew," he whispers, “he knew.”

Chapter Text

“Why… why would he do that? It's obvious that he knew from the very beginning! The stone! The chamber! Not to mention the dementors! They always were attracted to me more than anyone else. It's because I have two souls!”

“Excuse me? Dementors? You did not tell us about that!”

Harry blinks, “uh… we didn't get to it yet?”

Dorea narrows her eyes, “I won't be very happy to hear about the rest of your life will I?”

Harry goes read and slowly shakes his head, “no, I don't think you will.”

She sighs slowly and climbs on the bed with him. Her arm covers his shoulder and tugs him into a hug, it'll be okay, Harry. You're here now, that's all that matters. And we'll do our best to ensure your past never comes about. And we'll do all we can to ensure your future is as good as we can make it. Now! Let's not focus on these matters any further today. You, my dear, are a carrier! How wonderful is that?”

Harry giggles and nods, leaning further into his grandmother as he does so, “I never thought I could carry my own children, I didn't even know it was a possibility.”

“It's very rare,” Charles says as he sits on the other side of Harry, “I'm sure the second someone finds out about your ability you'll have marriage proposals coming in droves. That doesn't mean any will get by me though! You're not getting married until you're thirty if I have anything to say about it!”

Harry giggles while Dorea scoffs, “oh give him a break, Charles! Now Harry dear, if you want a male partner just let us know and we'll compile a list of every single man in all of magical Britain for you to scour. You will have any man you are interested in, that I can assure you. Unless of course they are already married or betrothed. Then we can't do much about it. And I'm sure you already know this from your father but we do not care about blood. If you want a muggleborn man then you shall have him. All that matters is whether you or James must have a son. Simply to pass the line down to ensure our survival. Other than that, you may do as you please.”

Harry smiles even as he blushes, “I don't know if I could date someone from this time. Especially if I know they end up marrying someone else and have kids. I couldn't bare knowing that I’m the reason they never existed.”

Dorea hums, “well then. We’ll simply work together and compile a list of all the men in your time that are still single bachelors! And we simply cannot forget that they must be attractive. You will not marry a Crabbe on my watch!”

Harry lets out a loud laugh, shaking as it consumes him. 

His grandfather joins in as he adds on, “the shame of it! I wouldn't be able to look Abraxas Malfoy in the eyes for a decade if that occurred! Let it be known that the Goyles and Selwyns are out for the very same reason!” 

Dorea giggles, “now the Flints on the other hand, those are acceptable. They may not be the most gorgeous in the face department, but I have never seen a single one that hasn't had a body carved by the gods! Lets not forget they are still an honorable family too!”

Harry shakes his head even as he laughs, “oh don't I know it! Marcus Flint looked like a professional beater by the age of fifteen!”

“Oh I knew I should have married Lywn Flint!”

Charles gasps, “the betrayal! My own wife! Thinking of another? The agony!”

Harry hunches over, laughter over taking him as his grandparents bicker happily above him. A wide grin takes over his face as he finally understands just why his father had been known as a hilarious prankster during his time at Hogwarts. 

The sun slowly lowers as the day comes to an end. Harry sighs as he leans against his grandfather, eyes heavy as sleep comes over him. The two look at one another over his head. 

Dorea grins, “shall we start on that list, dear husband of mine?” She whispers.

Charles shakes his head, amused, “we shall, my dear wife.”

They smoothly ease off of the bed, far too used to sneaking out of James and Sirius’ beds for it to be a struggle. They quickly make their way to Charles' office, Dorea quickly taking a seat whilst Charels rummages through massive tombs. 

“Ah ha! Here it is! The self-updating copy of all the families in magical britain!”

“Perfect. Now set it down! We have work to do!”

“Impatient! Give me a second, woman!”

Dorea rolls her eyes, “oh please, you must be getting old.”

Charles gasps, pressing a hand against his chest in mock offense, “rude! I am as young and spry as ever!”

“Sure, if you call throwing your back out over a book young and spry.”

“I have never done that!”

“Well then stop acting like it and give me the damn thing already!”

Charles chuckles as he tosses the dusty tome onto the desk in between them, laughing harder as Dorea coughs and waves her hand wildly through the dust.

“Arse.”

“Well you wanted the book so badly! I thought throwing it would be the fastest way to give it to you!” 

She glares at him, “just take notes, will you?”

“Ma’am, yes, Ma’am!”

Rolling her eyes again, Dorea shuffles through the pages eagerly, rattling names off quickly as she reads. 

“Slow down woman! I can't write as fast as you talk!”

She scoffs, “then get a dicta quill! We have about 500 families to get through before morning. I can't exactly go slowly!”

“Fine, fine! There! Happy now?” he asks as he shoves a dicta quill onto the parchment.

She smiles innocently at him, “very. Now be quiet or else we’ll have to start all over again.” 

He raises his hands in surrender, leaning back and simply listening to his wifes soothing voice as she lists all of the men suitable for their grandson. He smiles as he hears some of them, wondering what Harry will think of them. Their eyes meet as Dorea says one name in particular. She pauses for a long moment, both of them wondering if it was possible, before she finally continues on. Charles sighs as he thinks, would it be too far fetched to believe their grandson would fall for the boy they thought of as a second son himself? He looks at that name scrawled on the parchment as he thinks, Sirius Black. He grins, perhaps he could convince Arcturus of another Potter and Black match. Especially with Harry being a carrier.

Chapter Text

Breakfast the next morning is quiet, all of them tired and recuperating from the busy day before. Harry’s stomach grumbles even as he eats, his new appetite potions forcing him to eat nearly double what he’s used to. 

“So, Harry dear, we ended up making that list of men for you last night while you were sleeping.”

Choking on his food, Harry coughs, eyes wide as he looks at his grandmother, “what?”

His grandparents look at him amusedly, “we made a list of men for you to look over! It's in alphabetical order too! It includes everyone, even muggleborns. It does show what they are though. Pureblood, halfblood, muggleborn, and even their titles! So if they're a nobel like you it will show that and what class of nobel.”

Harry nods slowly, “and, er… why does that matter?”

Dorea shrugs, “well, if you marry another nobel you will have to have at least two sons if James does not have any. No matter what though, if you marry a nobel you will at least have to have one son to ensure their line. The rest doesn't really matter other than to show you what exactly you will be getting yourself into. And it simply makes researching them in the ministry archives easier. We simply cannot allow you to marry a felon or some such heathen.”

Harry blinks, “ministry archives? You're going to stalk whoever I choose?”

They both look at him seriously, “of course we will! You're our grandson! We have to make sure you're safe with the man you want to marry!”

Harry bites his lip, staring at them in wonder, “thank you.”

Dorea smiles at him gently and grasps his hand, “we are only doing our jobs, Harry dear. Now, are you done?”

Looking down at his empty plate, Harry nods.

“Perfect! Let's go take a gander at that list then, shall we?”

Harry blushed as he stands alongside his grandparents. Both of them were grinning ear to ear as they nearly ran to his grandfather's office in excitement. His smile is glowing as he follows along quickly, laughing as he watches them push and shove each other to get to the door first. Now matter who he chooses, he hopes he could find a love like theirs in the future. Everlasting and forever fun. 

“Come on, son! We've got a hell of a session ahead of us!”

Harry grins as he follows them inside of the office. Charles takes a seat on the plush office chair across from them as Dorea takes the matching one. Leaving Harry with the slightly different one nearby. The only real difference he could see was the color. His being black while theirs were red for Charles and green for Dorea. He gazes at the two matching red chairs off to the side and he smiles in understanding. Their houses. Charles shuffles through a drawer before dragging out what had to be a meter of parchment, perhaps even more. Harry gapes at the tiny print covering the entity of the parchment.

“You did all of this in one night?”

“Of course we did! What else would we have done?” 

Harry giggles quietly before reaching out to grab a section at random.

“Ah ah ah! This section first! You must go in order!”

Harry shakes his head with a grin before beginning to read the names upon the parchment. He shakes his head at a few, pointing them out to Charles and Dorea as the only son of a family who had married and had children in his time. Dorea snatches a quill and some red ink quickly before scoring a thick line through each one. He makes swift progress through the A’s before finally making it to the B’s. Another few are pointed out to his grandmother before he pauses. Sirius Black. A blush crosses his cheeks as he thinks of his godfather. Well, the boy who would have become his godfather. He bites his lower lip before he continues on, not asking Doera to cross his name off. 

His grandparents share a look over his head, victorious grins covering their faces before they are wiped away quickly as they look back at Harry. Oblivious to the interaction next to him. He quickly points out another name on the list before moving onto the C’s. He lets out a laugh as he looks at the first one. 

“I thought the Crabbe’s were not an option?’

Dorea sighs, “we would never stifle you, Harry dear. If it is what you truly want then we would never fight you on it.”

Harry smiles at her gratefully, “thank you, but you can definitely cross that name off!”

She laughs and happily crosses it out, watching with a gleeful grin as he continues. 

“Oh this is so much fun! I never knew how much I was missing out when James refused out help in finding someone to marry! He was instantly taken with your mother and has since not even allowed me to talk about other potentials near him!”

Harry grins as he giggles at her antics, “well you've got me now!”

“Indeed I do, Harry dear! Now keep going! You're not even a quarter of the way through yet!”

Shaking his head, Harry makes his way through the G’s easily allowing her to cross off the Goyles on the sheet. 

 He frowns once he makes his way to the Flints, “I know at least one gets married and has a son. I just have no idea which.”

Dorea hums next to him, “well, there's quite an easy way to figure that out! Now tell me, did this Marcus Flint have brown or Grey eyes?”

Harry furrows his brows in thought, “er…Brown! He had brown eyes!”

“There's your answer then! The Flints are an odd bunch. The first born line always has gray eyes whilst the second line has brown. I do have to wonder what happened to the first born of this generation though.”

Harry sighs sadly as she crosses out the first name but leaves the second, “he probably died in the war.”

She hums, “yes, he likely did. Now go on! You've got many names to read yet!”

Harry nods and settles in for a long time, reading each and every name carefully before deciding whether or not to have it be crossed out. Some are immediate. Like a man with the last name Umbridge. His grandmother had let out a sigh of relief at that, causing Harry to look at her in confusion.

“The Umbridge's are absolutely horrid! And it seems like they haven't changed even in your time if your disgust says anything!”

Harry grins, “at least one of them never changed! I never met this guy but I met what I can only assume is his sister. Worst witch in the world. I hated her more than anyone in existence. Even more so than Voldemort himself!”

Dorea scoffs, “it does not surprise me at all. That family haunts my nightmares, I swear!”

Harry giggles as he nods, “I don't blame you!”

“Now, what about Urquart?”

Harry shrugs, “never heard of them so it must be fine.”

Dorea smiles and nods, “you've only got a few left then!”

Harry swiftly makes his way through the next five before pursuing the last two names. 

“Zabini. I don't know which one went on to have Blaise.”

“Oh, well that's easy! Mariano always wanted to name his child Blaise no matter the gender!” 

Harry watches as he crosses out the final name before leaning back in her seat with a humph of triumph. 

“There we go! All of your options laid out bare for you, Harry dear! Now it's up to you to narrow it down. Once you've done that we will do background checks and if someone doesn’t turn out well then we will simply find replacements or have you continue with the smaller list you get!”

Harry smiles and bites his lip, scanning the list once more with the tiniest blush on his face as he reads some in particular. The blush erupts into flames along his nose and cheekbones as he reads that one name again. Sirius Black. 

Chapter Text

Narrow the list down. How was he supposed to do that? He had never met most of these men, let alone had a discussion with most! He scowls at the never ending parchment. Sighing, he grabs a quill along with some blue ink. He can start by eliminating anyone that would become a death eater. Even if they never became one in this timeline, Harry couldn't take that kind of risk. Scratching out the first five death eaters, he blinks. Narrowing the list down would be easier than he thought, he had yet to even make it out of the B’s. He smiles as he continues, finding the repetitive motion therapeutic. Finally, he reaches the last name.

Looking at the list his triumph shows clearly on his face when he notices just how few he had left. Waving his wand, he copies those names and watches as they appear along another, shorter piece of parchment. 

Counting them, he nods in satisfaction when he finds only 167 left. Looking towards his collection of inks, he grabs a yellow one, determined to get rid of the names of those who would cause trouble later on. The first one to go being a Lockheart. As he continues, he finds this section to be even easier than the last and lets out a laugh. He would surely make a rather good amount of progress today. 

Harry sighs as he wipes his brows, adding an orange smear to the rainbow of colors on his forehead. Looking down at the measly list of 37 men, he nods and leans back with a sigh of relief. That had to be enough. Shoving it across the desk of his new office, he looks at the clock, only for his eyes to widen. Jumping up from the desk, he rushes to the door. His grandparents were going to be pissed. He nearly misses multiple steps as he makes his way down the stairs. Jumping the final three, he skids to a halt before the door to the dining room. Biting his lip, he slowly enters and watches as his grandparents turn to look at him.

Dorea smiles at him happily, “Harry dear! Come take a seat! Oh dear, you are a mess! Here we go!”

Harry blinks at her as she vanishes the ink from his skin and irons his robes easily. 

Charles laughs from his seat, “what were you up to? Finger painting?”

Harry blushes, “I was narrowing down that list you gave me. I figured you'd want it as soon as possible. But then I realized I was late for lunch and-”

“Oh don't worry about that, Harry! Take your time with that list, there's absolutely no rush! And we don't mind you being late or not showing up at all! As long as you're eating that's all that matters! We would have just sent an elf up with a platter of food.”

Harry’s mouth drops open as he stares at them, “you…you're not mad?”

“Of course not! Why would we be? James almost always misses lunch during the summer, too busy sleeping in until 3 PM. you being late by a few minutes is nothing! Now come, you need to eat!”

Harry smiles slightly as she ushers him into a seat across from them watching as she easily summons food to the plate in front of him. 

“There we go! Dig in! And tell us about these men that are still on your list!”

Harry giggles as he reaches into his pocket, “I'll do you one better!”

They blink at the small parchment in front of them. Dorea frowns in confusion as she unrolls it, only to gape at the short list.

“You narrowed it down this far? How long were you working on this for?”

Harry shrugs, “I don't know, a couple hours maybe? I woke up at 6 and started it a bit later.”

Dorea stares at him, “Harry darling, it's noon. You've been workin on this for 6 hours!”

Harry licks his lips, “well… after a bit I realized how fun it was and just kinda…got carried away?”

Charles laughs, “don't be too harsh on the boy, Dorea! You know how we Potter's get when we see a challenge!”

She sighs with an amused smile on her lips, “yes, yes, I know. Well then! Lets see who's all left then, shall we?”

Looking down at the parchment, Dorea and Charles both hide their smirks at the very first name, Sirius Black. Working their way down, they nod as they reach the bottom. 

“All very respectable men and families. I see no issue with any of these. Very well done, darling.”

“Yes, well done son! I'm glad to see that Malfoy’s gone as well!”

Harry laughs, “I would never marry a Malfoy, no matter who they were.”

“Good! As all Potter’s!”

Dorea snorts, “you and your damn rivalry! Lucius I can understand, but his brother? I see no issues with him.”

Charles sighs, “he seems fine, but I won't risk it!”

Harry giggles and nods, “I've never had a good experience with a Malfoy!”

“See dorea! He gets it!”

Rolling her eyes, she passes the scroll back to Harry, “eat up dear, I'll go to the ministry today for their records just to ensure everything.”

Harry nods as he tucks into his food, listening as his grandparents continue their conversation from before he had shown up. 

“I'm telling you, Charles! I have never seen her act in such a way!”

He scoffs, biting into his sandwich harshly, “and I’m telling you, that's what I saw!”

She humphs, “well I don't believe it!”

He rolls his eyes, “of course you don't! She has you wrapped around her paw!”

“She does not!”

Raising an eyebrow at her, he continues, “you feed her by hand anytime you're near her around a meal, you play with her for hours each day, cuddle with her constantly, and pet her whenever she wishes! She has you wrapped around her paw and the second you step out of sight she turns into a little demon!”

Harry blinks as he listens, astonished at how similar the two were to Ron and Hermione.

“Winter would never knock a vase off of anything, though! I know it!”

Charles sighs and stares at Harry with an exasperated expression. Harry turns away to hide his laugh in a cough. 

“Dorea dear, you know I love you, but that cat is a demon I tell you, a demon! She just hides her true self from you!”

She scowls at him, “well maybe she just doesn't like you and can sense your negative feelings about her!”

Shaking his head, Charles continues eating his lunch, “don't say I didn't warn you!”

Crossing her arms, she looks towards Harry, “do you see what I have to deal with, harry? Can you believe him?”

Wideeyed, Harry shakes his head quickly before biting into his sandwich quickly, ignoring the quiet sniggers coming from his grandfather. 

Chapter Text

Harry stares at his grandparents from across the table, blinking as he repeats their words in his head once more. 

You need a backstory, darling. No one can know who you truly are.

We need to keep you safe, son. You can't be Harry Potter anymore.

His eyes travel down to his hands tracking the lines on his palms as his thoughts whirl within himself. Not be Harry Potter. Who would he be? He had only ever been Harry Potter. Not be Harry Potter. He gulps, he hadn't been Harry Potter since arriving in this time, not truly anyways. His title of savior had died the second he had arrived here. Now he was left with nothing, not even a name. His lips twitch upwards slightly as he looks back up at his grandparents. 

“I can be whoever I'd like to be?”

“Within reason of course, we already have your last name picked out to fit with your back story, but your first and middle name are entirely up to you, son.”

His smile widens at that and he bites his lip in contemplation. He needed a name that still fit with Harry, he was far too used to the name to completely change it. But what middle name would fit best? 

Furrowing his brows, Harry looks to his grandparents, “what will my last name be?”

They glance at one another quickly before his grandmother begins, “we did a little digging and everything works perfectly. Your father was a squib from a pureblood family who married a Potter distantly related to us. Your father was Marius Black, your mother Janice Potter. You will be a Black, my distant cousin that I adopted after Marius’ death just a year ago now.”

Harry blinks, a black? He would be a black? He chews on his lip, blushing slightly as he opens his mouth to question them further.

“Don't worry, if you choose Sirius as a suitor there will be no issues. The Black family already is inbred, what's adding one more to the mix?”

Giggling, Harry shakes his head at his grandfather, “would me having his family's approval make me less appealing to Sirius?”

His grandfather grins at him, “well yes, but you're forgetting something, son. You live with us! Sirius’ chosen family, that will outweigh any effects his family's opinions on you will cause.”

Harry sighs as he nods, contemplating his new name as he does so. He wrings his hands as his thoughts begin to shape and take form, circling around one name in particular. Glancing up at his grandparents he inhales deeply.

“Hadrian Leo Black, Harry for short.” 

Their smiles are answer enough, approval shining from their expressions as they nod and fill out the paperwork.

“Perfect! Now all we need to do is add you to the ministry records and enroll you into Hogwarts for the next year!”

Harry’s eyes widen, “what if-”

“No ifs! We covered all of our bases, son. There is nothing more to it. All you need to worry about is that list of yours, recording your history, and anything else we deem age appropriate. No worrying about war and death and money. That's our job.”

His mouth opens slightly as he gapes at his grandfather, utterly lost.

“He's right, Harry dear. You have no need to worry. That's our job. Now, here are the records I pulled from the ministry on the men left on that list of yours. Take your time going through them all, there is quite a lot of information on them. Now if I may, I will be off to hand these papers over to the ministry!”

Charles grins at Harry from across the table, “madwoman, I swear. Brilliant and scary, but mad.”

Harry smiles brightly, reminded once more of Ron and Hermione as he shakes his head and looks at the large stack of paper before him.

“I might as well go and start on this lot.”

“You’d better! Else it'll take your entire lifetime to get through it all!”

Laughing once more, Harry grabs the arm full before shuffling away from the table, struggling not to spill any of the sheets.

Hearing a chuckle from behind him, he turns to look at his grandfather, bewildered by his amusement.

“Wingardium leviosa!”

Harry blushes as the parchment leaves his arms gently only to float by his side, ducking his head he scuffs the floor with the bottom of his shoe.

“Dont worry about it, son! We all have our moments, now shoo! Go have fun organizing your men!”

His blush deepens as his grandfather ruffles his hair on his way out of the kitchen. Staring at the floating stack of parchment beside him, Harry smiles and shakes his head. His feet patter quietly against the marble floor as he makes his way through the mansion, staring at the first piece of parchment the entire way, his face is lit up red as he examines the information on one Sirius Black.  

He groans as he rubs his neck, twisting it only to sigh in relief as a loud pop sounds. Leaning back, he moans in ecstasy as his spine cracks from top to bottom. He shakes his head as he stares at the piles of parchment surrounding him. His eyes are drawn to the smallest pile, holding only one person’s information. He blushes only to shake his head in denial, he knew it was only a fantasy within his own head, never to happen. Still, he looks over at the sheets, unable to continue the bubble of hope hidden deep within him. He snags another parchment from the top of his never ending pile, adamant on distracting himself from those forms. Time passes quickly, so quickly that he jumps at the knock upon his office door. 

“Harry dear?” His grandmother peeks her head around the door slowly with a smile, “ah! There you are! Come now dear, it’s time for dinner!”

Harry blinks, looking at the clock above the door only to gawk.

Dorea laughs quietly, “lost track of time again? No matter, come along, the elves make a delightful roast with all the fixings. And best of all… Treacle!”

Harry’s eyes light up and Dorea laughs once more, still beckoning him out of the office. Capping his ink, Harry looks about at the parchment strewn about before nodding. Looking at his grandmother, he smiles and follows her out to the stairs. 

“I delivered your paperwork with no issues, just as I suspected. The most discourse that could come of this is Arcturus having a fit at not getting custody of you first. It’s all settled though and he has no chance of gaining custody or anything of the sort. You are now Hadrian Leo Potter, adopted son of myself and Charles. You may want to start calling us mum and dad, it might be confusing otherwise and cause a slip. Not to mention Charles and I would be delighted by you calling us such,” she finishes with a grin.

Harry blinks away tears, turning away quickly to hide them, “yeah, yeah I'd like that too…mum,” his voice is choked and nearly a whisper as he responds. 

Gathering him in her arms, Dorea smooths his hair down and kisses the top of his head, “you are my son in all the ways that matter, my dear. Biologically you are simply a generation farther, yet in all ways you are my son and I will always treat you as such.”

A quiet sob escapes him as he folds into his newfound mother’s warmth, sinking into her embrace gratefully. 

“Thank you.”

“Do not thank me, dear. You never need to thank me for loving you. You coming into our lives was the best thing to ever happen to us, other than James and Sirius coming into our lives. You are one of our sons Harry and you always will be.”

Chapter Text

“So how is organizing these men of yours coming, son?”

Harry swallows the large bit of treacle as he looks up at his gran- his dad with a large blush, “er…well.”

Charles grins, “still enamored with sirius eh?”

“Oh, give him a break, Charles! Go on, Harry, ignore him.”

Smiling sheepishly, Harry continues, “I made four different piles so far. One definite yes, the second being for good possibilities, third for people I'm unsure of, and the fourth being definite nos.” 

“Oh? A definite pile huh? Let me guess…Sirius is in that one?”

“Charles!”

Harry's face ignites, as he coughs, “er..well.. He's the only one in that pile so far.”

“Hah! I knew it.”

Groaning, Dorea sighs in exasperation, “like I said before, dear, ignore your idiot of a father, he's not exactly the sharpest wand, after all. 

Giggling, Harry nods as he continues, “that's the smallest pile I have. The largest ones are the two maybe sections.”

Dorea nods, “makes sense. Is there anyone else that peaks your interest other than our dear Sirius?”

Harry sighs and shakes his head, hunching over in disappointment.

“Oh stop that! Sirius would be lucky to even have a chance at you, darling! Now sit up straight and act like the confident young man that you are. If Sirius does not understand just what a gem you are then he doesn't deserve you! But knowing that boy I’d say he'll be sniffing all over you like a damn niffler in a gringotts vault!” 

Harry tilts his head back as he laughs, just imagining Sirius acting like a niffler was enough to undo him. 

Dorea smiles before groaning as a loud ding echoes through the manor, “give me a moment, Harry dear. It seems like Arcturus had heard the news of your existence.”

Harry bites his lip as he watches her leave, spinning his fork mindlessly as he gulps.

“Nothing to worry about, son! Arcturus will just whine about not getting to you first! Of course once he realizes your eligibility he’ll test his hand and try to manipulate everything so he still gets you into his family,” Charelse grins, “which is exactly what we want, eh Harry?”

He blushes and nods sheepishly.

“There ya go! Now hush, if we’re quiet we should be able to hear them from here.”

He covers his mouth with a hand as he giggles quietly, leaning to the side slightly to hear the hum of conversation from the next room.

“Why on earth did you not tell me about this boy, Dorea?”

“Charles found him and adopted him the second he knew of him! I had no say in his actions whatsoever, father.”

“That damned Potter. I never should have allowed you to marry him!”

Dorea scoffs, “our match was one of power and politics, father. It was a good match and you know it! And look at the positive side of all this,” her voice quotes even further as she leans in conspicuously, “you have access to negotiation here, father. You can still have access to the boy.”

He growls, “how in Merlin’s balls could I get access to the boy, Dorea? That damn husband of yours would never let me steal him.”

She hums with a little smirk as she sits back on her heels, utterly satisfied with herself as she replies, “not in adoption, perhaps. But marriage? That is another thing altogether and I know of another Black that visits my home quite often.”

His eyes gain an unholy gleam at her word, a smirk crawling along his face as he nods, “yes, yes. Perhaps this is for the best Dorea, both of our families could gain from this. I will speak to you soon, Dorea. I have some work to be done now.”

Her smirk grows as the connection cuts off, a laugh leaving her as she stands. Her grin grows even larger at the round of applause coming from the dining room. Steeping inside once more, she greets her husband and son with an elegant curtsy, laughing all the while as she does so. 

“Wonderful, wonderful show my dear! Truly a star!”

“Why thank you, my darling husband. I truly couldn't have done it myself!”

Harry giggles from his seat, smile wide as he watches them ooh and ahh about her performance. 

“Don't you agree, son? Isn't she amazing?”

Harry nods, laughter still ringing out in between his words as he answers, “she was! Very convincing!” 

“Come! Come! Sit, you must regain your strength after a performance like that, my darling wife!” 

She laughs once more as Charles ushers her into a seat, pushing more food towards her as he does so. 

Sighing, she tucks into her food once more, grinning at Harry as she says, “now we just sit back, relax, and wait, darling. Sirius will be yours, I can feel it in my bones.”

Harry blushes, shoving more treacle tart in his mouth to avoid responding. 

Charles laughs, “damn right he will be! And I highly doubt he’ll mind one bit! I know that boy as well as my own biological son, if he’s not pleased I'll have him checked over for potions!” 

Dorea nods, “and spells, don't forget the spells.”

“Yes, yes! And rituals.”

“Runes.”

“Mind tampering.”

“Clonage.” 

“Torture.”

“Threats.” 

Harry's laughter stops them, glancing at one another they grin. 

“You'd you'd check if someone cloned him?”

“We have to check all the bases, Harry! We know our son, he would be thrilled to have a partner such as you!”

“And..and threats?” His voice is broken up by laughter as he hunches over in amusement.

“Someone could be threatening him to refuse our offer for your hand! We have to make sure everything is safe and sound with our boy, after all!”

Shaking his head, Harry grins at them both, “you're mad, absolutely barmy.”

“No Harry dear. We are right," Dorea says, “Sirius will love you. With all his heart. Do not question us on this.”

“She's right son, we know him more than you do, he will be ecstatic to get to know you.”

Harry shakes his head, refusing to argue anymore, they would see. They would see that it was just hopeful thinking. Why in Merlin’s name would someone as amazing as Sirius want him ?

Chapter Text

“Good news Harry, Arcturus wants to meet with us later today to negotiate a possible match between our families.”

Blinking, Harry inhales sharply as his mum’s words hit him. Biting his bottom lip, he glances towards his dad beside him.

“Don’t worry son, everything will be okay. And if the bastard suggests something you don’t want then you don't have to agree. We can get Sirius without him.”

Harry giggles and shakes his head, “if Sirius wants me that is.”

They both roll their eyes, “not this again!” Dorea exclaims, “hush and go get dressed, darling, I had a house elf prepare your outfit and leave it on your bed. We’re due at the Blacks estate in an hour.”

He freezes, “an hour! That's it?”

They look at him amused, “yes darling, an hour.”

Wideeyed, he glances between the two of them before running away, straight to the staircase to his bedroom. 

Charles chuckles, “that poor boy is head over heels.”

“He so reminds me of you at his age.”

“Takes after his grandfather’s good traits then. Hopefully Sirius doesn't take after you, he might just traumatize our poor boy.”

She huffs, crossing her arms, “I was not that bad!”

He raises a challenging eyebrow, “dear, you called me a disgusting maggot who should go fuck himself with the trash he was found with in the dumpster he called his home.”

Dorea blushes and looks away, “perhaps I went a bit too far that time.”

Charles tilts his head back and laughs, “that time? Darling, more like everytime!”  

“Well you have to admit that you were a bit of an annoyance back then.”

“Yes but I never called anyone, especially you, a maggot!” 

“Yes well…oh forget it! Just go get dressed! Arcturus already hates you, no need to make it worse.”

“Yes dear,” Charles says snickering.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

His hands shake as he stands in front of the mirror taking in his reflection. Jet black messy hair as tame as he could manage, dress robes, and a tie all there. Now all he needed to do was walk out of his room to the floo. His eyes dart towards the door, he couldn't do it. It was too much. What if Arcturus said no? What if he mocked Harry for even thinking he had a chance with his grandson? He bites his lip, twining his fingers together as he shakes his head. Nope, nope, nope! He wasn't going. 

He jumps at the knock at his door, he stares at it, wariness seeping from his bones. 

“Harry darling, not to be that kind of person, but if you don't get out here in the next five minutes I will come in there to get you.” 

“I can't do it, mum! I can't!”

She huffs from the other side of the door, “can i come in?”

He licks his lips, glancing between it and the mirror, “fine.”

His eyes are still wide in terror as she enters, “oh darling,” she quickens her pace to 

scoop him up in a hug. You’ll be perfectly fine, there is absolutely no reason to worry. We will be with you every step of the way and you barely even have to speak at all! This is simply for formality's sake to see if the families would even like to pursue this train of thought further. Now come, darling, we must be going unless you want to be late? That would easily make Arcturus deny the match.”

His breath hitches at that as he jerks his head to look at the clock, “oh shit!”

Chuckling, Dorea says, “no need to worry, Mospey!”

Harry blinks as a house elf appears, “yes ma’amsie?”

“Bring us to the floo, please dear?”

“Right away, ma’amsie!”

Harry sighs in relief as they appear right next to his dad at the floo.

“Ready to go then, son?”

Staring into the ever swirling fire, Harry nods, unable to speak.

“Off we go, then!” his mum says as she steps into the fire, disappearing into a jet of flame.

“You're with me then, son! Come along.”

Closing his eyes, he relaxes as he lets his dad lead him through the floo, stepping out

gracefully once they arrive. Inhaling deeply, he exhales slowly, taking a moment to prepare himself. As he opens his eyes, shock runs up his spine as he stares into silver eyes across the room. Silver eyes that were staring back just as intensely. His eyes fall to the hair draped elegantly over the boy’s shoulders, then to the hair tie around his wrist. He quickly skims the rest, not daring to take his time as he looks back up at those eyes. His mouth curls up into a slight smirk as he leans against the door frame, crossing his arms as he languidly looks Harry up and down. 

“...and this is Hadrian.”

Harry blinks at his mother’s voice, looking at her and the man who he assumed was Arcturus.

The tall man hums, looking down at him with sharp eyes before nodding and going back to Dorea, “we will introduce him to everyone when we sit, so please, take a seat.”

She nods, gesturing Harry to a chair beside her, nodding at the one on his other side for Charles to take.

He gulps as he looks around, finding far more people than he had been expecting. Not only was Sirius there, but nearly every other Black in existence. 

“Now then, Hadrian, I am Arcturus Black, Lord Black. By my side is my wife, Melania, our children Orion and Lucretia. Then Walburga, Sirius, and Regulus. Cygnus, Druella, Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa…”

Harry nods at each name, following the introductions as best he can. He nearly slumps in relief as the last name echoes throughout the dim room. 

Dorea nods, “you all know myself and my husband, Charles. But we would like to introduce you to our newly adopted son, Hadrian Potter. He is the biological son of a distant relative of Charles’ that we recently discovered. He is also the son of Marius Black.”

Nods flow along the room, the family looking at him with curiosity. The Black sisters examine him closely, realizing just why he had been so alarmed by seeing them the first time. 

Arcturus continues, “we are here to discuss a possible marriage match between Hadrian and one of our own.” 

The family around them blink, obviously unaware of the true meaning behind this meeting. The younger Blacks glance at one another, unsure of who would be chosen. Harry’s panicked gaze meets his dad’s as he realizes that not only was Sirius here, but Sirius wasn’t even aware that he was an option, the option.

Charles smiles soothingly, grasping his knee softly as he nods towards Arcturus. 

“Now then, Dorea, you said you would be the negotiator for the Potter family, yes?”

She nods, “yes, I did.”

“Very well then, let us begin.”

Harry stares straight at the wood grain of the table, refusing to look up as Arcturus and Dorea continue. He clenches his fists as they argue for different meaningless things, a dowry, different clauses, and jargon he couldn't even begin to comprehend. 

“…and children?”

Dorea pauses and blinks, “Harry?”

He jerks his head up, eyes wide as he realized she wanted him to speak. Charles coughs, hiding his laugh at his terrified expression. His mum even looks away for a brief moment to hide her twitching lips.

“You would like children, yes?”

Harry gulps and nods, trying his best to avoid talking.

He blushes as he feels his dad’s body shaking in silent amusement as Dorea continues, “and how many would you like?”

He closes his eyes, trying in vain to center himself, breathing in and out deeply as he thinks. He knew this, he did, he really did. Clenching his fists, he counts in his head silently, one, two, three, four, five, six… he could do this, he could do this. 

Raising his head once more, he stares deep into those aged silver eyes, imagining for a moment they were red, giving him the courage to speak after a long moment of silence. 

“As many as physically possible, Lord Black. I would like as many children as physically possible.” 

Charles finally loses his battle against his laughter, excusing himself quietly as he laughs. 

Harry himself giggles quietly at his father’s antics, sharing an amused glace with his mum as they watch him go.

Arcturus blinks, “and what if your wife does not wish to have children?”

Harry balks, physically jerking back at the assumption, looking at his mum in bewilderment, only to find her staring at Arcturus equally as confused.

“Wife, my lord?”

“You did come here for a marriage agreement, yes? Bellatrix and Narcissa are the only eligible women within the family. I will not allow them to become something as degrading as a concubine.”

Harry chokes, blushing even harder as he hears his father’s laughter from the other room heightening. 

Staring at the wood, Harry glances up at the surrounding family, scanning their faces quickly. The Black sisters were giving him scornful glances, likely assuming the very same as their grandfather. The same could be said for nearly every other family member seated at the table. He stops at Sirius, the boy at the far end of the table, only his father Orion in between himself and Arcturus. The other boy simply has his head tilted to the side, his curiosity plain as day as he glances between Harry, Dorea, and where Charles could be heard laughing. Those silver eyes meet his own narrowing slightly before looking at Dorea once more. 

His mouth drops open, “oh,” his whisper is nearly silent but the entire table stops to stare at him.

“What is it, Sirius?” Arcturus demands.

“They don't mean concubine, they mean husband.”  

Chapter Text

“Husband? Surely you misunderstand?”

“Don't be stupid, you ingrate! They couldn't possibly mean husband!” 

“You don't want a husband if you want children!”

Harry blinks at the chaos such a simple statement had cause, glancing back at his mum. 

She rolls her eyes at him, “drama queens, the lot of them.” 

Arcturus clears his throat and the chaos settles, “do you mean to tell me, Dorea, that you came here looking for a husband for your son? ”

Dorea sits up straighter, “I came here looking for a husband for my carrier son.” 

The silence echoes. Only to be broken by his dads cackle from the other room. Harry snorts, attempting to hide his laughter by covering his mouth with a hand. Dorea smiles, her own body shaking from the strain of not laughing out loud as she continues. 

“If neither Sirius or Regulus is interested we will of course leave. But considering I told you of my son’s preferences during our floo call I assumed you knew of the situation.”

Arcturus blinks, and blinks again as he finally realizes what she had been insinuating doing that call. 

“Ah, well. Sirius, Regulus?”

Regulus shakes his head, a silent refusal. 

Sirius stares straight at Harry, eyes intense as he roaves the other. His blush intensifies at the other boy’s attention. 

Tilting his head, Sirius speaks, “I am…open to the possibility.” 

Arcturus nods, “very well, we shall continue then.”

Harry sighs in relief, wishing he could collapse into his chair as the family's attention leaves him. 

“Sirius, how many children would you prefer to have, then?”

Those eyes pin him once more, narrow and sharp as Sirius answers, “as many as he lets me have.”

Heat coursed up his body, tingling his very nerves as that deep dark stare glitters with something, whatever it was, was utterly lethal. He nearly jumps as his dad sits back down, settling a hand on his shoulder as he does so. That mischievous grin stares down at him as he nods to Arcturus again, signaling for Harry to pay attention. 

“Housing?”

Sirius answers first, “our own home until I take on the Black lordship.” 

Harry blinks, biting his lip before finally responding, “a home we both agree on, we may redecide at any point before and even after Sirius takes on his lordship.”

The family blink, Arcturus argues, “it is tradition for the Lord of the family to live on the estate.”

Harry nods, staring into those eyes as he once more imagines them as those dreadful red ones, “I am not arguing that. I am simply adding clauses that if something were to happen to the estate or we were incapable of living here for some unknown reason, we will not be punished by the contract.” 

Arcturus narrows his eyes, “...very well.”

“Sexual relations?”

Harry chokes, once more as red as a weasleys hair as he stares at what has quickly become his favorite wood grain on the table.

Sirius smirks, crossing his arms across his broad chest as he leans back in his chair. Those intense eyes roave over the embarrassed form of the teen before answering, “whatever he wants, he gets. Neither of us can force anything upon the other without explicit consent and there is no need to demand a certain amount of any such actions. Neither of us will have partners outside of one another of any species, gender, race, or other qualifying matter. If either of us break this portion of the contract it will immediately be broken.”

Blinking, Harry thinks over everything he had just heard, nearly gaping at the table at the eloquent speech from the boy he had assumed would answer in the most raunchy way possible. 

Sighing, Harry continues, “a discussion is necessary before the actual marriage on our needs and wants, if either of us is unsatisfied by the answers of the other we may break the contract. Other than the addition of that I agree with everything he said.”

Sirius nods, “add in that there should be a conversion if either of us ever feels our needs or wants have changed or we feel uncomfortable at any point of time.”

Harry nods, glancing over at Arcturus to see him writing everything down without question. 

Harry sighs as the man continues his questioning, rolling his eyes as he realizes just how long they would be here. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry groans as he finally escapes the questioning, sliding down the wall just to sit on the hardwood flooring beneath him. He thunks his head against the wall as he hears footsteps approaching. Glancing up, he blushes as he sees Sirius leaning against the wall, looking down at him with amusement. 

“Comfy?”

“Very,” his snark goes unappreciated as Sirius simply smirks at him and sits down across from him.

“So… your Prongs’ brother now, eh?”

Harry smirks mischievously back at the boy, “you could say that.”

Those silver eyes narrow on him, “okayyyy, well then I'll just have to let him know that his mysterious adopted little brother wanting to marry me was the reason my family needed me to leave Hogwarts for the day.” 

Harry snorts at the thought, wondering how his biological dad would react to that information. 

“As long as you give me the memory.”

Sirius raises an amused eyebrow as he leans in, amusement coating his words, “would you like to add that clause in, darling?”

Harry shivers as he stares into those eyes, “maybe I would.”

Sirius laughs, “I might just like you, Hadrian.”

“Harry. Call me Harry.”

Sirius spreads his legs slightly, resting his elbow on the bent one.

Smirking down at Harry, he replies, “what a simple name for such a rare beauty like yourself, very well then Harry.”

His blush travels down to his chest at the purr of his name as SIrius leans back, showing off his neck and collarbone as he does so. His eyes catch the glimmering of black studs in Sirius’ ear as his hair falls away. Staring at the enchanting boy in front of him, Harry realizes just how utterly doomed he had been from the very beginning.

Chapter Text

He finally understood what Prongs meant when he said Evans’ eyes were like green flames licking at his soul. They were ethereal, celestial, heavenly even. Fires had come through the floo system first, greeting everyone with a polite nod. The rushing sound of the fire sounded once more, drawing his eyes to the figures appearing before him. One larger, tall and broad, Charles. He stared at the second figure, short, shorter than Wormtail. Messy black hair that somehow made James’ look put together. And then he opened those eyes, those gems that nearly glowed from within. Evans’ eyes had nothing on his, hers were light, like grass and leaves. His…his were like the brightest emeralds…he didn’t dare to say it but he thought that they looked remarkably similar to the killing curse. 

“…and this is Hadrian.”

Hadrian, Sirius cherished the name. Mouthing it to himself as he watched a small blush travel up those adorable cheeks. Following the rest of his family, he sat in between his parents, waiting for someone to finally explain why they pulled him out of school for this. He rolls his eyes as they list every Black off of the books, he swears his grandfather even mentioned members that weren’t here. Finally, he sighs as Dorea introduces their small group, taking far less time than Arcturus doing so for their entire hive. 

He blinks as he hears the boy was the son of Maurice Black. A new family member? Sirius smirks, that would be…interesting. 

“We are here to discuss a possible marriage match between Hadrian and one of our own.” 

His breath catches, marriage? This gorgeous gem was going to marry one of them? He clenches his teeth, not daring to look at his cousins, too afraid of the glare he might send them. He’s sure they were ecstatic at the prospect of getting Hadrian to themselves. Sure enough, he sees Regulus look over at them through the corner of his eye. All fatigue leaves his brother as his curiosity and interest bloom in the face of possible drama. 

He raises his head slightly, furring his brows at the panicked expression on the boy's face. He listens halfheartedly as Arcturus and Dorea go over the basics of the contract, nothing too out of the ordinary. Rather, it’s a very equal contract for the house of Black. Usually those contracts nearly decimate the other house, he can only assume it was a simple one due to it being an inner family contract. 

“…and children?”

His eyes dart to Hadrian, expectant, even when he knew it was hopeless. He blinks at the horrified expression on that red face. Lips twitching, his eyes roach over the boy as he tries his best to hide under his fringe. He stares, fascinated as Hadrian breaths in and out slowly, gathering courage before looking up. His entire face changes, becomes frozen and icy, unwilling to bend.

He stares down Sirius’ grandfather with all the courage in the world as he says, “As many as physically possible, Lord Black. I would like as many children as physically possible.” 

Sirius breathes in deeply through his nose, forcing himself to stay quiet. His nails bite into the sensitive skin of his palms as he fights to keep his groan inside of him. As many as physically possible. His eyes nearly roll into the back of his head as he imagines the pretty face across from his slick with sweat after giving birth to his children. His face twists angrily, it would never happen, carriers were far too rare for him to be with one. The only one he knew of would kill him before letting him anywhere near. Still, he can’t help but imagine it. A husband, not a wife. A loving marriage like Dorea and Charles have. Children, happy children.  

Sirius huffs at his grandfather's next question, knowing it would inevitably come up, yet wishing it never would. He wanted to live in the fantasy, never leave it. Never face the reality that he would never have what he wanted. 

“And what if your wife does not wish to have children?"

Sirius gapes as Hadrian jerks back, as if he had been physically struck by Arcturus’ words. The slight twinge of disgust of Hadrian's face peaks his interest and he leans forward. Those wide eyes stare at Dorea, bewilderment and fear coating his face as she herself stares at Arcturus in confusion. 

"Wife, my lord?"

"You did come here for a marriage agreement, yes? Bellatrix and Narcissa are the only eligible women within the family. I will not allow them to become something as degrading as a concubine."

Sirius stares at the blazing red face as Hadrian chokes. Laughter spills from the other room as Charles collapses in on himself. Sirius simply watches the boy, wondering what exactly was going on in that head of his. He scans his family, staring at their scornful faces before looking back at the terribly embarrassed boy. That wasn't the face of someone looking for a concubine. Glancing at Dorea, he freezes. That smile, that glimmering kind smile was focused on him as she dips her head the slightest bit. Turning back to Hadrian, his mouth drops open as the realization hits him. They knew, they had done this, for him.

“Oh.”

“What is it, Sirius?”

His heart pounds, his hands shake, and his lungs burn from the lack of oxygen as he answers, “they don't mean concubine, they mean husband.”

The chaos from that one statement is ignored fully in favor of staring at that beautiful face. That face staring at the table as if utterly fascinated by the pattern. 

His grandfather clears his throat, “do you mean to tell me, Dorea, that you came here looking for a husband for your son? ”

Sirius stares at the man, hoping against hope for the future discussion. 

Dorea sits up straighter, “I came here looking for a husband for my carrier son.” 

Jerking his head to the side, he gapes at her, flicking his gaze from her to Hadrian, he finally lets the fantasy take hold of him. A carrier he was not only attracted to, but wouldn't be thrown out of his family for? He settles his palms on the table, darting glances between Dorea and Arcturus. 

“If neither Sirius or Regulus is interested we will of course leave. But considering I told you of my son’s preferences during our floo call I assumed you knew of the situation.”

His mouth is glued shut, tongue tied to the roof of his mouth as his little brother simply shakes his head in denial, leaving the rest of his family staring at him, waiting for an answer. 

Finally he tilts his head, as if not answering the most important question in his entire life, “I am…open to the possibility.” 

His eyes are wide, imperceptible to most, only Dorea, Charles, and a few others notice. Those very same people realize just what this means for him, for the family. They each share a triumphant glace, knowing their family would not lose an heir due to uncontrollable circumstances. 

The rest of the negotiations pass in a haze, Sirius answering each and every one of the questions from deep in his heart, his very soul. He stares into those ethereal eyes the entire time, immortalizing them in memory. He sighs as everything finally dies down, his family dispersing throughout the manor and gossiping about the marriage proposal. His eyes track the small form darting out the door, hidden from sight by the other family members. Standing, Sirius ignores the others coming to speak to him, following that form with everything in him. He pauses at the end of the hallway, frozen in time. Hadrian sat there, up against the wall, his head tilted up to the ceiling. Sirius’ mouth drops open as his eyes trace his jawline, those eyelashes, the glow surrounding him. Stepping forward, he once more pauses as those eyes crash into his own. 

Gulping, Sirius leans against the wall, looking down at Hadrian with a smirk, “comfy?”

“Very.”

His lips twitch, snarky, he liked it. 

“So…you’re Prongs’ brother now, eh?”

“You could say that.”

Sirius narrows his eyes slightly at the mischief hiding away in those words, examining the boy closer as he does so. There was…something off about that boy. Something that intrigued Sirius. The beast inside of him purred at the danger, the thrill, the chase. 

“Okayyyy, well then I'll just have to let him know that his mysterious adopted little brother wanting to marry me was the reason my family needed me to leave Hogwarts for the day.” 

Hadrian snorts, obviously amused by that notion and Sirius smirks slightly. 

“As long as you give me the memory.”

He leans forward, eyes glimmering as he smirks at Hadrian, “would you like to add that clause in, Darling ?”

“Maybe I would,” the words are soft, softer than silk as he whispers them out and as they echo through the hall. 

Sirius stares for a second, enchanted before he continues, “I might just like you, Hadrian.”

“Harry. Call me Harry.”

Harry. The name rings in his head for a long moment. Such a simple word for such a divine being. 

“What a simple name for such a rare beauty like yourself, very well then Harry .”

That blush travels farther than Sirius dares to imagine as Harry looks away sheepishly. Sirius stares, eyes lidded as he takes in utter perfection. Harsh and soft lines all in the right places, ethereal glowing and light, and just… perfection.

Chapter Text

“You Potters really like your unimaginative names don’t you?”

James scoffs, “says Sirius Black the third.” 

“Uh huh, and how many living Sirius Black’s are out there in the world. One! How many James Potter’s do you think are alive and well at the moment? A thousand?”

James rolls his eyes, shoving more eggs in his mouth before shaking his head in exasperation, “why does my name even matter?”

“Because I met your brother Harry.”

James freezes, holding up a goblet of pumpkin juice as his mouth opens, letting the orange liquid flow back out. Sirius barks out a delighted laugh as pumpkin juice splatters onto James’ robes. The Potter heir blinks, glancing down at the mess before ignoring it entirely.

“You met Harry! What's he like? I've only heard about him in letters!” 

Sirius grins mischievously, leaning in to whisper conspitorily, “I'm going to marry him.”

James whips his head to stare at Sirius in horror, “take that back. Take it back right now.”

“No can do Jamsie, not when it's already in writing.”

“Writing?” he chokes out, flabbergasted.

“Marriage contract.”

“But…but mum and dad would never…” 

“It's not guaranteed of course. And really you can't blame them.”

“What do you mean I can't blame them? ”

Sirius shrugs, grinning at James, “he's a carrier of course.”

“Car-carrier?”

“Mmh hmm.”

“My little brother…is a carrier…and has a marriage contract with you?”

“Yep!” 

His goblet clatters to the table, spilling pumpkin juice everywhere. Ignorant to the annoyed and concerned screams from around him, he falls backward onto the floor in a dead faint. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He wakes long after, alone in the dark, simply staring up at the ceiling above him. His little brother was a carrier, and was planning on marrying his brother in all but blood. He groans as he sits up, holding his head in his hands.

“I know right?”

Jerking his head to the side, he stares at the dark corner of the room, “who's there?”

He blinks as a form steps out of the shadows, a dark robe covering their body.

“What do you want?” He clenches his teeth as he glances at his wand on the table next to him.

“From you? Nothing.” 

James narrows his eyes, “then why are you here?”

The form sighs, small petite hands raising to lift his hood, pushing it back to uncover the person beneath. Long black hair flows freely as the pouty face of one Regulus Black emerges from underneath his shelter. 

“Your brother. I need help from him.”

James stares at Regulus, completely taken aback and bewildered, “Harry? What do you need from him? How could he possibly help you?” 

Those long and lithe fingers wave his wand, warding the hospital wing as those silver eyes pin James to the bed, “he's not the only carrier left, James. I need help and he's the only one who could possibly understand.” 

Biting his lip, James examines the Black brother in front of him. The desperate look in his eyes convinces him.

“Fine. I'll help you. What do you need?”

The boy across the room practically collapses in on himself in relief. Those wild eyes stare straight into James’ soul as the words claw their way out from his throat.

“I'm pregnant. I'm not getting rid of the baby. I need Harry’s help in keeping it alive.”

James chokes, staring at Regulus in horror, “pregnant?”

A glare shuts him up, so nasty and terrifying that he doesn't even consider continuing.

“Why…why do you need Harry’s help?”

“If any one found out I'm a carrier without a marriage contract then they would kill my child immediately and use me as their personal whore . Harry is a carrier himself, only other carriers can give another immunity and protection. It's an old and ancient law, if your brother gives me vocal protection then I'm safe. Until then, I'm a bleeding kid in shark infested waters.”

James nods, gulping as he feels around in the pockets of his school robes. He exhales slowly as he feels the invisibility cloak. Pulling it out, he stands holding his hand out to Regulus as he does so.

“Let's get moving then, we don't have much time to spare.” 

Those eyes shine, brighter and truer than James had ever seen them. He blinks, he had never considered silver before, but they were even more gorgeous than green. Throwing the cloak over them both, his chest expands as he inhales, smelling the spicy scent of the younger Black brother as he shifts closer. 

“Follow my lead, I know these halls better than anyone.”

Nodding, Regulus sticks to James’ side, moving slowly as he does so. Their footsteps are quiet even in the empty stone hallways as they move, extra careful of being spotted. James sighs in relief at the sight of the witch's passageway. 

Gesturing for Regulus to stay where he is, James slips out quickly to whisper the password, hefting up the side as he does. Nodding to it, James jumps down waiting for Regulus to approach.

“I…I don't know if I can do this.”

“Why do you think I went first? I'm going to catch you, trust me. Just jump, you'll be fine.”

“How can I trust you?”

James shrugged, “you can't. But you don't exactly have another choice right now do you?”

Regulus’ face twitches, pain crossing his features as he nods, “youd better fucking catch me Potter or I swear-”

“Threats later jumping now.”

Gulping, Regulus closes his eyes, sliding his fett to the very edge he jumps a small yelp escaping his lips as he prepares to hit the floor. He gasps as he feels large arms wrap around him gently.

“See? What did I tell you? I'd never let you fall.” 

I'd never let you fall. The words ring in Regulus’ head for a long moment, long enough for him to barely register that they had begun moving.

“Potter…what?”

“Shush. I'm carrying you. Let me. It'll be faster this way.”

Regulus blinks, shoving the cloak down from over his head, “excuse me?”

James grins down at the other boy cockily, “you're already a slow walker in between classes, I can't even imagine how bad you must be pregnant in a dark area that you don't know. It'll take us a decade to get out of here if I let you walk. Now shush, let me concentrate.”

“On what? Walking? You really need to expend that much effort into putting one foot in front of the other?”

James tilts his head back and laughs, “sure, let's go with that, Black.”

Biting his lip, the young boy whispers, “Regulus.”

James smiles softly down at him, “Regulus.” 

Chapter Text

Harry blinks at the rushing of the floo, he effortlessly slips between a bookshelf and the wall, watching carefully as two forms enter the manor. He frowns at them both, the taller one waves, gesturing for the other to follow. Harry tilts his head to the side, hearing footsteps rush down the stairs. His eyes close right before the candles erupt in flame. Slowly, he opens them once more, only to gape at the sight in front of him. James Potter, his biological father and Regulus Black of all people stood in the middle of the room, Dorea and Charles by the staircase, wands pointed at them threateningly. Even more shocking, James stands in front of Regulus, blocking him from his own parents' wands. 

“James? What in Merlin’s name are you doing here? We could have hurt you!”

The boy smiles at his mother, “where’s Harry?”

She furrows her eyebrows, “Harry? What could you possibly want Harry for?”

“It's important.”

Glancing at Charles, he nods and she sighs, “very well, Mispey!”

“Yes Ma’amsie?”

“Fetch Harry from his room, would you?”

“Mispey be sorries Ma’amsie but she’s can’t be doing that.”

Dares looks down at her in confusion, “why ever not?”

“Harry isn’t being in his room.”

They all stare at her, confused by the turn of events. Harry examines them all before deciding it was time to reveal himself. Coughing, he leaves his hiding spot and waves at the newcomers. 

“Might wanna make sure you’re alone next time. It's not always going to be an ally hiding in the shadows, after all.”

Dorea huffs, clutching her chest as the surprise wears off, “considering only allys can get in through the wards I’d say we do not have to be alert here, Harry.”

Charles laughs, “yes, enough war tactics for now, son. We’re safe and that’s all that matters. Now James, what in Merlin’s name is going on?”

“Yes dear, why did you feel the need to come all the way here on a school night at. What is it, two in the morning? And is that Regulus?”

James bites his lip as he glances around at them all, staring at Harry for a long moment. Finally, he sighs and takes a step to the side, letting Regulus be seen. 

Harry’s eyes widen as he takes his first ever look at the teenager. He gulps and takes a step back. Covering his mouth, he gags. 

“Harry!” 

He waves Dorea and Charles away, straightening up even with his face tinged green. He stares into those silver eyes and lets his tears fall. 

Regulus stands tall, steady and unmoving as he looks down at the hunched over figure that was his ticket to safety. He carves his face into stone, forcing himself not to react as the other boy slowly rises to his feet. 

Harry’s footsteps are unsteady, his eyes traveling up and down Regulus. He pauses every few seconds to stare at the nearly unnoticeable bump of his stomach. 

“Wh-when?” Was all his stuttering voice could handle once he reached the other boy. 

“Two months ago. In April.” 

He groans, eyes fluttering shut as agony passes through him. 

“Would…would you ever…get rid of it?”

Regulus jerks back as if struck, “if you even dare-“

Harry sobs, hand covering his mouth as he falls to his knees before the other. Regulus freezes, staring at him in shock. Jerking his head towards James, Regulus takes a step backwards. The family stares at their newest member in confusion, Dorea and Charles glance at one another. 

Scrunching her face up, she glances between her boys in confusion before it dawns on her. Holding her chest, she falls to the floor, staring up at Regulus with her own tears flowing freely.

“Oh my baby.”

Charles stares at his wife, looking up at Regulus once more, he suddenly remembers the conversation they had had not long ago. 

“What about Sirius? And Regulus?”

Harry bites his lip and looks at them, “do you really want to know?”

They glance between one another, their expressions hardening before they look back at him, “we are with you, Harry. We will not allow this man to ruin our world. We will take him down, no matter what it takes. You telling us what happened to Sirius, our son. And Regulus, my nephew, will only give us more fuel and push us harder to destroy this man.” 

Harry nods, “there's no easy way to say this, but Regulus died when he was 18. I don't know how but Sirius said he was forced to join Voldemort and died in action.”

Inhaling deeply, Charles gulps. Dropping to one knee, he holds his wife tightly as he stares at Harry. There was no way the boy would react like that if the baby had made it. Looking back towards Regulus, he sighs as he sees his son holding the boy tightly. Rising to his feet, he gently grasps Regulus’ arm.

“Come, we have some explaining to do.”

James and Regulus glance at one another before looking at the two still on the floor crying. Gulping, they nod quickly as they follow Charles out the door. Settling them down on an oversized seat that would fit them both he nods calmly.

“Give me one moment to collect them both. This will be a difficult conversation, feel free to ask the house elves for anything you may need.” 

They stare at his back as he leaves, James bites his lip as he hugs Regulus to his side tightly. 

“It'll be okay.”

Regulus shakes his head, “I've never seen Aunt Dorea act like that though.”

James sighs, “me either. Me either.” 

“Then how do you know it will be okay?”

Looking down into those silver eyes, James smiles, “because mum has never let anything stop her. Whatever this is, we’ll make it through, no matter what.”

Regulus stares at his twisted hands on his lap as he nods shakily. James squeezes the other boy slightly before looking around the empty room.

“Mispey!”

“Yes youngsy master, sir?”

James smiles at the house elf before nodding to Regulus, “could you bring a blanket for my friend here. And some refreshments for us all. I have a feeling we’ll be here for quite some time.”

Mispey nods excitedly, “yes, of course, youngsy master, sir!”

James sighs as she pops out of the room, his eyes search out the door again. Gulping, he settles in to wait, trying his best to seem unaffected and unworried for the pregnant boy beside him. 

Rubbing Regulus’ arm, he grins down at the boy, “remember what I said, it'll be okay.” 

Chapter Text

Finally, they all sit together, the silence still and tense as they stare at one another. Harry sighs before setting a stack of parchment down on the table between them all.

“First thing,” his head raises to stare straight into Regulus’ own as he begins, “I swear on my magic everything I say in the conversion will be the truth and nothing but the truth.”

The two boy’s eyes widen as they stare at Harry, he nods solemnly as he pushes the parchment towards them.

“You can look at that if you wish. It is my entire life documented for our use. That being said, my name is Harry Potter. I am not from this time, rather, I was born in 1980 and time traveled from 1995,” he stares at James this time with a small smile, “and my father is sitting right across from me.”

They freeze, staring at Harry in horror as he doesn't even hesitate. The oath he had made ensured his truthfulness. Gulping, they glance at Charles and Dorea beside the boy, exhaling as they each nod. 

“You…I…what?”

Harry smiles sadly at James, “it's a lot, I know, trust me, I know. I've had a while to get used to it. Take your time.”

James nods wildly, “yeah, yeah, okay. So…you're my son. From the future. Now you're here. With a stack of parchment to help us…what?”

Inhaling deeply, Harry continues, “that's the thing. War is coming. That new Dark Lord becomes worse than you can possibly imagine. But we’ve got the advantage with me being here now.”

They both nod slowly, pale and shaky as they consider the information thrown at them.

“Here,” Harry says, passing them each some water and a plate of food. “Let's take a short break from you two to absorb all of this.”

Regulus immediately digs in, gulping the water down like it's the last he’ll ever get. James simply stares at it all for a long moment before slowly eating the food and sipping at the water. Harry looks at Dorea and Charles, lost on how to proceed.

They smile at him, soothingly. 

“Did we ever tell you that Harry was the youngest seeker in a century? He beat multiple records during his time in school too!”

James slowly looks up from his plate, blinking slowly before a slight curve lifts his lips, “really?”

Charles nods, “oh yeah! We’ll show you the memories too! Quite impressive! He only lost a single game in his entire time at Hogwarts!”

James' eyebrows raise in shock, “only one?”

Harry blushes as he nods, “yeah. That was only because of something that happened during the game to knock me unconscious.”

James gapes at him, “that's wicked impressive! We’re damn good at quidditch but even our team has lost nearly as much as we’ve won!”

Harry smiles as he continues, watching the friendly conversation form as the dark thoughts disappear from their minds for a bit. Smiling, he nods at Charles gracefully. The man grins at him as he returns the nod. Wrapping his arm around Harry, Charles laughs at James’ explanation of how his last quidditch game ended with their seeker blinded by the rain so much that he ran into a goal post and knocked himself out, leading to Ravenclaw winning by a landslide. 

The conversation slows, their faces settling into something more serious as they all nod. Turning back to Harry, he gulps before looking down at his hands.

“There's no easy way to say any of this. But life during and after the war is terrible. A lot of people die,” He licks his lips and looks at them all, “including you all.”

James and Regulus jerk back as if struck, staring at him in horror. Regulus’ hand drops to his stomach and he gags.

“And…and you asking about…about getting rid of…”

Harry gulps, tears welling in his eyes as he looks at the other boy, even younger than himself as he replies, “I never even knew you had been pregnant. No one did. I have no idea what happened to you child. But as far as I am aware they did not make it in my time.” 

Regulus curls in on himself, gut wrenching sobs escaping him as he mourns for his child, the child that he had never had. Harry’s face twists as he watches, he couldn't possibly even imagine the pain the boy must be feeling, must be enduring. James holds onto Regulus tightly, his own tears falling as he finally understands what had hit his family so hard when they learnt about Regulus’ pregnancy. They stay like that for a long, long while. Each of them crying for the life that had never even had the chance to begin. 

Finally, Regulus’ head rises, staring into those bright green eyes, he demands, “you will help me. You’ll make sure they’ll live.”

Harry’s eyes never stray from those silver ones as he answers, “I would rather die than let your child lose their life again.”

Regulus clenches his teeth and nods, “I need asylum then.”

James nods, “that's why we came here in the first place.”

Harry stands, smiling, he gestures for Regulus to join him. 

Taking Regulus’ small hands in his own, he says, “I, Harry Potter, welcome Regulus Black to my family and allow him asylum and safety within this family.” 

Regulus nods, face pinched as more tears flow from his eyes, “thank you,” he chokes out, “thank you, truly.”

Nodding, Harry smiles and wipes the boy's tears, “you're welcome, Regulus.”

Sitting back down, Harry glances around the room before speaking once more, “my timeline was horrific. I learn more and more about the horrors of my world the longer I stay here. Context from a normal and happy world has truly put into perspective just how bad my life was back then. I… we’ll do our best to make sure none of that ever happens in this timeline. All of your deaths can and will be prevented.”

James gulps, glancing at them all before asking, “how…how do I…die?”

Harry inhales deeply, “do you really want to know?”

James bites his lip as he nods, “yes. I do.”

Harry nods slowly before answering, “Voldemort himself killed you.”

James nods, “and you? Who…who did I?”

Harry smiles, “that might not ever happen again, likely not,” he says as he nods to Regulus in the boy’s arms, “but my mother is Lily Evans.”

James clenches his teeth, “so…I never got over her?”

Harry shakes his head, “not in that timeline. You got together in your seventh year I think.” 

He nods before smiling down at the boy in his arms, “to be honest with you, I hope I don't end up with her this time.”

Harry smiles, “I do too.” 

Chapter Text

Long after their conversation, Harry lays atop his bed covers, simply staring up at the ceiling. Eyes blank, face stony, he wonders just what else about his old time that he hadn't known. He exhales as tears run silently down the sides of his face, gulping, he sits up. He stares at the lone clock in his room as he bites his lip, 5:24 AM. Nodding, he rolls out of bed. Sleep was useless tonight, he might as well be productive. He feet pad gently against the flooring as he makes his way to Charles’ office, the only place in the manor that would have what he needed. He wipes the tears away from his eyes as he reaches the door, staring at the nob, he slowly reaches for it. 

The near silent creak of its opening haunts him. Stepping forward, he stares at the desk. The desk with a pensive glowing an enchanting and eerie blue. Hands shaking, he clenches his teeth as he brings his wand to his temple. He exhales shakily as the memories flow from his mind, slippery like oil running through his fingers. Watching them drip into the pensive one by one, he takes a timid step forward. Shaking his head, his hand shoots forward, entering the pool of memories too fast for him to hesitate. 

He grunts slightly as he lands on the stone. Staring at his feet, he doesn't dare to look up. 

“They were homophobic, racist, and hated muggleborns. Worst kind of people around.” 

He gulps as he listens to those words. Was it such a coincidence that Sirius listed being homophobic as the first sin of his family? 

“I ran away when I was sixteen. I was kicked out, really,” his voice drops to a whisper no one but the future Harry hears, “they couldnt handle their precious heir being a faggot.”

He gulps, tears finally falling once more as the memory comes to an end. The world spins around, he shakes his head as he finally looks up from the floor. Straight into stone cold crystal blue eyes. 

“You must return to your Aunt and Uncle's house, my dear boy. You know this.”

“But…but…they-”

“Love and care for you. Now stop this nonsense and join the rest of your peers at the train station. Hurry along, if you don't make it you’ll simply go through the floo and miss saying goodbye to your friends.” 

He gulps as he watches his younger self leave, shoulders hunched as tears gather in his eyes. Turning back to Dumbledore, his heart drops as he sees the smirk crawling along the man’s face.

Leaning back into the throne-like chair, he grins, “poor boy doesn't know what he's in for this summer. Oh well, it's for the greater good, after all. He will do as the prophecy says, even if I must force him.”

The world spins. Leaving him in an empty room. Gulping, he steps forward, staring into the mirror with new eyes. Charles, Dorea, James, Regulus, Sirius, and him. Happy, healthy, all in a new peaceful world. He turns as footsteps approach, watching as his tiny self finds himself in front of the mirror, entranced by the image of his parents. His eyes narrow as he watches Dumbledore approach, he clutches his teeth as he hears the man’s answer once more. A new pair of socks. His eyes stay on the old man as his younger self leaves, watching as he sighs mournfully. 

“Oh Ariana, Gellert. Why couldn't you two get along?” 

His eyes are wide as the world becomes a blur once more. Ariana? Gellert? Shaking his head, he focuses on the next memory, watching as Dumblroe smirks maliciously at Snape. 

“You truly thought I had no idea who the traitor was all year? Come Severus, you should know me better than that by now. I instantly recognized that Moody was not himself. I simply let it happen, it helped my plans further themselves, after all.”

He blinks as he sees the horror enter the potion master's eyes, surprised that the man could feel more empathy than the very person the magical community looked to as “everything good”. 

“You let a student be killed because it fit your plans? ”

Dumbleodre shrugs, “I had no idea Mr Diggory would die. Would I do it again? Absolutely.”

Harry and Snape stare at the man, appalled by his words. They snap their heads towards the door as a knock sounds.

“Ah, young Mr Potter must be here!”

He gags and shakes his head as he enters the next memory, reluctant to hear the next words that come out of that man's mouth.

“A basilisk, Albus! How in Merlin’s name did we miss this!”

The man shrugs, “a compulsion spell to ensure no one realized what the monster was.”

Snape blinks at the man in shock, “Voldemort left a compulsion spell on the castle for decades?”

The man chuckles, “oh heavens no! It was of my own making. That is how young Ms. Granger was able to figure out the monster.”

Snape takes a wary step back, “why would you only allow a second year to find out there was a Basilisk within these walls?”

Dumbldore grins, “I needed to test Mr. Potter, after all.” 

Harry himself takes a step backwards, running into the wall as he does so. Eyes wide, the world spins and revolves around him, taking him to the next and final memory he had chosen. 

“She is using a blood quill on students, Albus, we must do something!”

“Do calm yourself Severus. I have everything under control.”

Snape sighs in relief, “so she will be taken care of?”

“Of course not! These children must face the horrors of the war. It will make them more likely to side with the light. A ministry official hurting them will make them rebel and side with me .”

Snape simply gulps and nods, face tight as he asks his next question, “you believe even the first years must go through this torture?”

“It is hardly torture, Severus. Simply corporal punishment and training. And yes, it is a necessary evil.”

Harry stares into those pitch black eyes as they stare off into the distance. He shudders as he sees the pain, the desperation within them. Perhaps Snape hadn’t been as bad as he had thought. Simply a man trapped between two evil lords forcing himself to be the horrific man he had come to be. 

His legs give out on him as the pensive spits him back out. Staring at the dark wood of the desk, he stays there as the sunset lightens the room. Shivering and trembling, he sobs on the floor as his world comes crumbling down around him. 

Chapter Text

Numb and in shock, he carefully writes everything down. The scratches of the quill reminding him of a simpler time. A time where Hermione would bug and pester Ron and himself to do their work, all the while they would be fooling around with something stupid anytime she looked away. As he finishes listing all he had learnt from his time in the pensive, he stands with a sigh. Holding his wand out before the blue glow of the memories, he inhales and brings them to his minds once more. Blinking out a few final tears as they lock into place. Glancing out towards the rising sun, he exhales deeply, allowing his face to darken as he leaves the lit room, into the shadows before him. 

His movements are completely silent as he flows through the hallways of the manor, not even his breathing heard as he walks. His eyes shutter closed as he exits the main doors. Face lit once more by the warm sun, he doesn't notice the odd and mangled shadows the lighting creates around him. The harsh lines of his face, his darkened back, the utterly charred grass around him. He walks away, eyes slowly opening as he goes. The bright emerald color shines as he reaches the gate. With a single glance back, he sighs and slips through, apparating the second he leaves the wards. 

Tilting his head curiously, a tiny smirk crosses his face as he walks along the halls of the ministry of magic. His mother, Dorea, had taught him how to apparate in case of an emergency. She had underestimated just how much of the Black blood ran through him from her. He glides down the stairs, finding himself on the lowest level easily. He had spent an entire year dreaming of this place, it was time to find out why. 

He stares around him as the very walls rotate, glaring at the doors, he chooses one at random. He smirks and chuckles as he finds the next room from his dreams behind it. Stepping through, he wanders through the area mindlessly, not caring of the objects surrounding him. He pauses as he reaches the final door, grabbing the knob, he twists.

Orbs. Lines and lines of orbs. Towering above him, going farther than the human eye could see. He bites his lip as his feet carry him along the aisles. He glances at the plaques underneath each orb, gulping as he notices a pattern. 

Trelawney, Lovegood, Rosier, Lovegood, Rosier, Rosier, Trelawney.

He shivers as he continues on. Prophecies. He was surrounded by prophecies. 

He will do as the prophecy says, even if I must force him. The words ring in his head as he continues on. There had been a prophecy about him in the future. Even if it had yet to be made, he could still find its uninhabited spot within these everlasting walls. He pauses as he reaches the end of the aisle, head turning to the side. The nose that leaves his lips is one of utter horror. 

Subjects: Harry Potter, Tom Riddle/Voldemort. 

Witness: Albus Dumbledore.

Seer: Sybill Trelawney.

Year Spoken: 1979.

His hands shake as he reaches for the orb. Closing his eyes, he wraps his fingers around the glowing blue sphere, the same blue of his memories just an hour before. 

“ The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have the power the Dark Lord know not…And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…” 

His eyes stay closed for a long moment afterwards. Kneeling upon the cold hard stone, he lets his head fall forward as he clasps his hands around the orb within them. This prophecy…had followed him to the past. Perhaps the single thing to have done so. His eyes open slowly to stare down at it, taking in the swirling mass of gray and blue. He licks his lips as he runs his finger along the clear glass. Raising it above him, he tilts his head. Blinking, he drops it, watching as it smashes against the ground, blue liquid flowing along the rough cement. He clenches his teeth as it swirls around itself, the gray fog covering it as the glass reforms around it all. 

He sighs as he picks it up once more, staring up at its now empty spot on the shelf, he gulps as he reads the plaques next to it.

Subject: Harry Potter

Witness: None

Seer: Luna Lovegood

Year Spoken: 1995

Subject: Harry Potter

Witness: None

Seer: Pandora Rosier

Year Spoken: 1975

Subject: Harry Potter

Witness: None

Seer: Sybill Trelawney

Year Spoken: 1975

Subject: Harry Potter

Witness: None

Seer: Xenophilius Lovegood

Year Spoken: 1975

Face twisting bitterly, he snatches the rest of the prophecies and shoves them into the bag he had brought along with him. Tears blurring his vision, he sprints away from the orbs, the room, the ministry, his past. He runs, and runs, and runs, not stopping to look back or think about where he was headed. Finally, he hunches over, panting in exhaustion. Looking up, he sighs as he stares at the sign above his head. The Leaky Cauldron.

With a defeated nod, he pushes the door open, fitting in among the early risers as easily as everyone else. Not a single look follows him as he finds a seat, no one bats an eye at his presence. Staring at the wood grain on the table before him, he tightens his grip on his bag. He would listen to the bloody prophecies, but first, he needed a damn coffee.

Chapter Text

Returning to the manor was uneventful. The other inhabitants were still asleep, leaving Harry alone within his office, staring at the five orbs on his desk. One told right before his birth, the other four told the year he had traveled back in time. He groans as he lets his head fall into his hands. He should have tried to get more sleep. Instead he was faced with damn prophecies and fate. Shaking his head, he blindly grabs for one. 

“The green eyed basilisk will turn back the clock two turns…taken in by the panther and lion, the basilisk will have the answers to unsolved puzzles…seven pieces, lost and unfound, will be destroyed by the basilisk…the green eyed basilisk will turn back the clock two turns, for nothing can be unbalanced within in his presence…” 

He shudders as the voice echoes around him, an unfamiliar woman’s voice, soft and soothing. Luna's mother. He bites his lip, green eyed basilisk? That was how the prophecy had interpreted him? Seven pieces? He shakes his head. One step at a time. Setting the first prophecy down, he reaches for a second, relaxing as another voice drowns out the sounds of birds chirping in the morning dew outside.

“A time warrior approaches, filled with determination, he is the causation of dread…savior to many, executioner to few…the grim shall follow him, always one step behind, for change to happen the warrior must become judge and jury, bringing the timeline into a new world…a time warrior approaches, to splinter and weave time itself...”

He exhales slowly as he sets the second orb down. Xenophilius Lovgood’s voice still reverberates through his ears as he does so. He eyes the final two unheard prophecies. One from Luna, the other from Trelwaney. With obvious trepidation he holds the third prophecy, gulping as the voice begins. 

“The vanquisher of the Dark Lord approaches…followed by an army of the loyal, the power the Dark Lord knows not shall prevail…the one with the power to vanquish the Light Lord approaches, with the knowledge the Light Lord knows not…the one with the power to vanquish the Light Lord approaches… either must bend at the power of the other, for neither shall rule while the other stands…the vanquisher will arrive as the fifth month closes…”

He gulps as the words hit him. Vanquisher of the Dark Lord. The one with the power to vanquish the Light Lord. his hands shake as he sets the prophecy down on the other side of the desk, as far away from him as he could manage. Shivering, he stares at the final one, Luna’s. Gently, he runs his finger along the glass sighing as he holds it as if it is a precious gem. Her voice rings out like an enchanting bell and brings tears to his eyes as she begins.

“A friend and a foe, the fighter will stand for those who cannot…Nargles will slow him at every turn, Blibbering Humdingers laugh at his efforts…seers, animagus, scholars, and followers watch him in awe, the past becomes the future, future becomes the past…neither shall forget either, the fighter will become legend in both…memorialized by those who remember who he truly is…the friend.” 

The friend. Tears flow from his eyes as he smiles down at the final prophecy. Less of a prediction, more of a letter from his past. Ensuring he would not be forgotten by those he had left. Giving him hope for his future here in this new timeline, his new home away from home. With a near silent sigh, he settles the prophecy among the others on his desk before standing.

Slowly, he exits his office, finding his way to his room easily in the dim lighting. Reaching into his wardrobe, he smiles as he hears the first murmurings of the others waking. He dresses slowly, putting his clothes on one after another in a soothing repetition. He smiles sadly at his reflection in the mirror, his shadowed eyes peer out from his gaunt face as his demons scream out from within. Shaking his head, he moves away. 

He's quiet as he joins the others around the dining table. They all are. The only sounds within the room are the soft clattering of silverware and tableware as each of them enjoy the meal. Harry breathes easier in their presence, knowing they would help him with this new knowledge the world had thrust into his hands. 

His eyes glance from each of them to the next, lightening with each person he sees. Charles, his dad, was shoveling food into his mouth as if it was going out of style. Dorea, his mum, was slowly picking at her food, looking up once in a while with a tiny smile gracing her lips. James was doing his best to emulate his dad, even competing to be the fastest out of them both. Regulus sat there prim and proper like, eating slowly just like Dorea. But Harry could see the lines forming around his mouth, the small grimace from the uncomfortability of holding the position with his slight belly. 

Smirking, Harry slumps back into his chair, eating his food without a care in the world as Regulus turns to stare at him. Not sparing him a second of attention, Harry continues eating, humming in pleasure as the sweet and tangy fruits meld together on his tongue. His eyes graze along the pastries, fruit, and yogurt on his plate happily. The house elves had long ago learned his preferences. They remained unaware of his reasons, but had figured out he would refuse anything heavy in the morning. He clenches his teeth as the reminders of his past with the Dursley’s never fade, always showing up in his daily life over and over again. Scooping up some yogurt, he sighs, refusing to allow them to ruin his day even further. 

Meeting the gaze of his mum from across the table, he smiles slightly. Her own smile crosses her lips briefly, just as pained and forced as his own. They all had a tough night, each of them still suffering through the conversation from just hours before. As he watches them all eat alongside each other, he smiles as those soft and sweet words ring in his head once more.

The friend.  

His shoulders relax as he closes his eyes. Luna, his dear friend, had sent him a message across dimensions to keep him going. Gulping, he wipes away the singular tear quickly. They would make it through whatever came their way, he knew it.

Chapter Text

He had stood by and watched as James and Regulus left silently. Not saying a single word as they returned to Hogwarts. Charles and Dorea had wished them well as they went. Harry had simply stood in the corner and stared into those green flames. When they fell and went silent his eyes rose. 

Looking at his parents, he begins, “I found something you both may want to see.”

Glancing at one another, they nod, simply following him just as quietly. Arriving at his office, he holds the door open for them and gestures towards the desk. The desk with five prophecies still resting on it. 

Dorea gasps, her hand clutching her chest as she stares at them. Charles’ gulp can be heard throughout the entire room. 

Harry nods, “each of them are about me. One the year before I was born, the other four the year I traveled back in time. I’ve already listened to them but I need help interpreting them all.”

“Interpreting prophecies is very intricate and delicate, Harry dear. I am not sure if we are cut out for it.”

He sighs, “we don't need any solid answers, just estimates until we can find someone that will be able to interpret them. And I think it'd be best if you heard them.”

Charles nods, “I can't promise to understand anything, but I'll give it a shot.”

His mum nods, “I agree.”

Smiling, Harry holds the first one, watching them both closely as the words fill the room. Their faces pale, tinge green, and tighten as they stare at him. Dorea gasps as the words and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives, echo throughout them all. His dad simply hangs his head.

“What…what does that mean exactly?”

Harry shrugs, “no clue. But the others are even odder.”

He grabs the second one, letting it play for them as he listens closely to the wording. 

Their eyebrows furrow in confusion. Each one of them glances at the other two, lost as to what the meaning of it could be. 

“You will destroy… something. Something with seven pieces. A puzzle of sorts,” his mum frowns.

“What kind of puzzle needs to be destroyed?”

Harry shrugs in response to his dad’s question, “an evil one made by Voldemort?”

Charles snorts, “must be a complicated puzzle, what with seven pieces.”

Giggling, Harry nods, “oh yeah, for such a genius he really doesn't have the patience for anything more than that.”

Laughing softly, Dorea rolls her eyes, “enough you two. Saying such things will get you killed one day. Now what of the next three?”

He grabs the third, blinking as the words hit him harder the second time around.

“The grim.”

He licks his lips as he stares into the enchanting liquid surrounded by that gray smog. Looking up at his parents, he shakes his head when he sees their confusion.

“Never mind. I might understand that part.”

They nod, still staring at him in confusion as they think over the prophecy. 

“I don't like the executioner part,” his mum scowls.

Harry winces, “me either.”

Charles shrugs, “I volunteer to step in!”

Harry tilts his head back as he laughs, “you can't volunteer to take over part of my prophecy!”

“Why not? Sounds easy enough to me and it would be fun!”

His mum laughs quietly before waving to the next prophecy. Nodding, Harry grabs it. 

“The Light Lord?” Charles' eyebrows raise in surprise, “does it mean Dumbledore? I always thought he was a bit fishy but not to this degree.” 

Dorea scoffs, “it doesn't surprise me, that man is always toeing the line.”

“Careful dear, your roots are showing.”

She glares at him, “my family may be idiots when it comes to some things, but they are right on this matter.” 

Raising his hands in surrender, Charles laughs and steps away from her, “whatever you say dear, how about that next prophecy, son?”

Grabbing the next one, Harry smiles at them as the words surround them on all ends, ringing out like a sweet bell. 

“Oh,” Dorea sighs, “that one, it doesn't sound like a prediction.”

Harry shakes his head, his smile growing as he holds the orb close to his chest.

“No. My old friend Luna spoke this one. It sounds like a message from my old timeline. A message saying everything will be okay.”

His parents smile sadly at him, wrapping their arms around him in silent comfort as they all lean on one another.  

“She sounds like an amazing friend.”

“She was.”

Dorea kisses his forehead and runs her fingers through his hair, “you will always have the memories.”

He nods, struggling to keep the tears at bay as he sniffles, “I miss them. All of them. They were the best friends I could have ever asked for. They helped me through so much.”

“And it sounds like you were the best friend they could have asked for, son. You have a new chance at life here, they would want you to take it.”

Harry nods, cuddling closer to Charles' chest, “I know.”

His parents smile at the muffled words, “it'll be okay, darling. We’re here, let it out.”

His face twists at his mum’s words, shaking, he finally lets out a sob. Holding him closer, Charles bites his lip at the pain in that single noise. He stares into the distressed eyes of his wife and smiles sadly. Holding her and their son tighter in his arms, he rests his head on top of the messy hair of Harry. 

“We love you, son. We love you so much. Let it out, Harry. We’re here. We’re always here.”

His sobbing heightens, his entire body shivering and shaking with each sob and hiccup. 

“Shhhh, shhh, it'll be okay, darling. It's okay. We’re here. Breath, Harry. Breath for me.” 

He nods, still crying as he takes a deep breath, interrupted by a hiccup as he does so. 

“Good. Good. Keep breathing for me, Harry.”

He closes his eyes, crying and breathing all the while. His body slumps as his legs give away. His eyes flutter between open and closed for a moment before consciousness leaves him.

His parents sigh. Holding him up from the floor, Charles brushes his hair away from his eyes as he looks towards Dorea. 

“I'll take him to his room. He needs his sleep.”

She nods, “he's exhausted. I don't think he slept at all last night.”

“I don't blame him. Last night was rough for all of us.”

She frowns, “he's been through enough, Charles.”

“I know, Dear. I know.”

Chapter Text

Harry sighs as he wakes up, staring at the ceiling above him silently as he wonders just what his new future will hold for him. Not one, not two, not even bloody four, but five prophecies. Shaking his head, he climbs out of bed and sits on the little seat by the windowsill. 

Vanquisher of the Dark Lord. Knowledge the Light Lord knows not. Time Warrior. Judge and Jury. Green eyed Basilisk. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.

He shudders as the thoughts consume him. Biting his lip, he jumps down from the window and grabs new robes. He wasn't alone, he wasn't alone, he wasn't alone. Luna's words echo in his mind as he gets dressed.

A friend and a foe, the fighter will stand for those who cannot…Nargles will slow him at every turn, Blibbering Humdingers laugh at his efforts…seers, animagus, scholars, and followers watch him in awe, the past becomes the future, future becomes the past…neither shall forget either, the fighter will become legend in both…memorialized by those who remember who he truly is…the friend.

Sighing, he smiles slightly as he makes his way to the door. He had help, from this world and the last. He wouldn't have to do any of this on his own anymore. Entering the kitchen, he sits down beside his dad and scoops some eggs onto his plate. 

“Good morning, son. How are you feeling today?”

Harry smiles at Charles as he answers, “stressed, but I have help…and I know I won't be alone this time.” 

Dorea smiles at him and grasps his hand, “you will never be alone again, darling.” 

Tears fill his eyes as he stares into her own and nods, “I know.”

Eating before the tears could start to fall, he sighs as the flavors burst against his tongue. 

“So what's the plan for today? Do we want to plan or just relax?”

Dorea sighs “give him a moment to wake up dear.”

Harry hums as he thinks, “planning would make me feel better.”

Charles nods, “understandable. We can relax tomorrow then. Eat up and then we’ll head to my office.” 

Dorea rolls her eyes and scoffs, “men.”

Giggling, Harry smiles at her and laughs louder as her exaggerated look of exasperation. They make quick work of their breakfast, each pausing as they finish, unsure of how to continue now that they needed to get to work. Gulping, Harry stands and smiles at them.

“What are we waiting for? An invitation?”

Laughing, his dad joins him and gestures for Dorea to join them, “coming, dear?” 

Her smile struggles to reach her eyes as he grasps his hand and follows them. Feet padding against the floor, Harry slows as he sees the office door. Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath before opening it, sitting in the plush armchair he had claimed as his own, he watches as his parents take their spots. 

Smiling at him softly, Dorea begins, “what would you like to start with, Harry dear?”

Twisting his fingers, Harry bites his lip, “the prophecies can wait. I can get a better interpretation of them from someone else. I think…I think what we really need to do…is look at my memories.”

His parents blink, staring at him for a long moment.

“Your…memories, dear?”

He nods at Dorea, “I watched some yesterday. The pensive let me see more than I ever did in my last life. I… I think seeing them all in the way I saw yesterday would help us.”

Dorea hums, “what did you see exactly, darling?”

Gulping, Harry begins, “Dumbledore cannot be trusted.”

Dorea smirks at Charles superiorly, “see? I told you.”

Scoffing, Charles rolls his eyes, “why can't he be trusted, Harry? And please do give a better explanation than the Black’s do.”

Giggling, Harry nods, “he admitted some things in my memories.”

Charles’ eyebrows raise in surprise, “you have solid proof?”

Nodding, Harry watches as his dad leans forward with a large grin, “can I see?”

His mum leans in too, “I would like to see this as well.” 

“Are you sure? It's not exactly…nice.”

“And we don't expect it to be darling,” Dorea says gently, “but we would like to see what you had to go through ourselves.”

Sighing, he nods, “alright.”

Charles claps, and grabs the pensive, “here we are! Whenever you’re ready, son.”

Harry quickly brings the memories to the forefront of his mind before setting them in the bowl. 

“Will you be joining us dear?”

Shaking his head, Harry gestures for them to watch the memoires, “I'll stay here this time.”

Nodding, they disappear. Harry leans back into his chair, staring off into space as he awaits their return. Jerking upright, he stares at them as they appear quicker than he had expected. 

He blinks at the red hot rage upon each of their faces, staring at the tears flowing from his mum’s eyes. 

“He…he allowed a student to die? First years to be tortured! My…my baby was thrown out?”

Gulping, Harry nods at the final question, watching as she sets her head in her hands. 

“I will kill Arcturus!”

Charles wraps an arm around her as he looks across the desk at Harry, “I have a question for you, Harry.”

Nodding Harry watches as his dad gathers himself before asking his question.

“One of the prophecies called you a green eyed basilisk. In one of the memories we just saw Dumbledore said he was hiding the fact that a basilisk was within the castle. Why exactly would you be nicknamed after this creature?”

Gulping, Harry looks down at his hands as Dorea’s head jerks up. Her eyes are wide as she glances between her husband and son widely.

“Don't tell me you…”

Looking up at them, Harry sighs, “I fought the basilisk and won,” rolling the sleeve of his robes up, he shows them the scar, “it bit me but Fawkes the Phoenix cried in the wound fast enough for me to survive.” 

They gape at him in horror, “you…you fought a basilisk?”

Dorea straightens, nearly glaring at him from the other side of the desk, “you will tell us everything that damn man and school put you through right now Harry or else I swear…”

He hangs his head, knowing it was coming but wishing he could have gone longer without needing to explain his past. 

Looking up as a large hand covers his own, he smiles at his dad, “take your time son.”

Chapter Text

He explains everything. The stone, the cerberus, the possessed teacher, the diary, Sirius, the dementors, the Triwizard Tournament, Umbridge, Snape. Everything. It took hours. Even longer if you counted all of the breaks they had to take because of the emotions surrounding them all. It ended with them all just staring at each other in silence as they took in everything that had just been said. Harry’s eyes were glazed, his mind elsewhere as he finally realized just what he had gone through in his last timeline. Shaking his head, he stares at his parents as they finally come back to themselves as well. 

“You mean to tell me…your entire life has been spent running and fighting in a war you never should have been a part of?” 

Biting his lip, Harry looks at his mum, “I don't know about that. I mean…this all only started when I went to Hogwarts.”

Dorea narrows her eyes, “how did you spend your childhood then? You said James died. Who raised you?” 

Gulping, Harry hunches as he forces himself to answer, “my mum’s sister and husband.”

Charles sits up straighter, “they sent you to live with muggles?” 

Nodding, Harry holds his arm tightly as he builds up his courage, sitting up, he stares at his parents as he finally says the words he's been wanting to say his entire life.

“The Dursleys abused me.”

A weight lifts off of his chest immediately, his very stance changes as he admits what has been plaguing him for so long. Dorea shuts her eyes and turns away as if hit. Charles groans and lets his head fall back. 

“You were abused and immediately were sent into warfare. Its almost as if…as if Dumbldore planned for it.”

Harry blinks, “planned for what?”

Charles sighs, “abuse victims typically have low self esteem or regard for their own safety. It's almost as if Dumbledore planned for you to be sent to them for his plans to work the way he wanted them to.” 

Harry gapes at him, “Dumbledore was the one to send me there. He said it was because of blood wards.”

“Blood wards! What do you mean blood wards? Those have been banned in Britain for decades!” 

“What?”

Dorea shakes her head angrily, “if he had blood wards they were done illegally. In fact if he had them then we need to check your magical core for any inconsistencies. I can contact the healer to see if he found anything.”

Charles freezes, “the healer.”

Dorea looks at him in confusion, “what about the healer dear?”

He looks at her slowly, horror filling his face, “I forgot,” looking back at Harry, he continues, “you’re a horcrux. Dumbldore knew the entire time that you were a Horxcrux. He…he must have sent you to those muggles knowing how they would treat you. He was raising you so that you would willingly walk to your death at some point for his plans.”

Harry and Dorea stare at him in shock. Glancing at one another, they look back at Charles. 

Shaking his head, Harry groans, “that…that fucking bastard. He was raising me like a pig for slaughter!” 

Dorea clenches her fists, “that man deserves a long painful death.” 

Charles sighs, “I think we’d better talk to the healer again, see if he has any news on the Horcrux or anything else.”

Dorea nods, “I agree. We need to get rid of the Horcrux as soon as possible and ensure Harry’s health. In fact, I will start on that right now. You two can continue on here while I contact Healer Graves.”

Harry blinks as she walks away, leaving just him and his dad in the office. Turning towards him, he sighs.

“What now?”

Charles shakes his head, “that is up to you, son. I'm not going to push you any further, but if you want to keep planning and sharing your past then go ahead.” 

Shaking his head, Harry bites his lip as he thinks, “I don't know what we’re going to do.”

Charles furrows his eyebrows, “what do you mean, son?”

Harry shrugs, “how will my past even help us when it hasn't helped us yet? And what are we going to do to stop it from never happening?” 

His dad sighs heavily, “your past will help us heal you and prepare for our future better. Your past may not come to be anymore but it still could. So we use it to prepare for possible outcomes and learn as much as we can because some of the things that caused your future could have already happened.”

Harry nods, “but how do we know what could be useful?”

Charles shrugs, “we don’t. So we treat everything like it could be.” 

Fidgeting, Harry replies, “should we make a list of everyone that…that dies? So we can try to stop it from happening again?”

Charles closes his eyes and nods, “that…that would be useful, yes.”

Rummaging around in his desk, Charles sighs as he finally grabs a quill and some parchment. Dipping the quill in an inkwell, he looks at Harry expectly. 

Biting his lip, Harry begins, “I can’t say for certain everyone that does in the first war, but I know a lot do. You two, James, Lily, the Prewitt brothers, the McKinnon’s, Regulus…”

His voice is black and emotionless as he names them all. One after another more and more names fall from his lips. Charles has to fight back his own emotions as names of his friends and worse even, his son’s friends are named. He stares down at the finished list in horror, gulping as he looks back up at Harry. 

“This is what the wars did to our society?” 

Harry blinks, “oh, you wanted both of the wars?”

Charles chokes in horror, “you…you mean this is only the first war?”

Harry nods slowly, “I thought you knew that.”

Shakily putting his quill down, Charles grabs another piece of parchment, “tell me the damage then.”

Harry sighs slowly and bites his lip, “the first deaths were Bertha Jerkins, a muggle man, and Cedric Diggory. Then there was Bart Crouch Sr and Barty Crouch Jr. After that year more and more Dementors ran loose killing innocent muggles. If you want to include the deaths before the technical start of the war we can include Quirinus Quirrell too.”

His dad blinks at the parchment, significantly shorter than the first but still long. 

“You said the war only started a year before you left?” 

Harry nods. 

“So five confirmed deaths, multiple muggle deaths, and one death before the beginning of the war. And this was barely the beginning?”

Harry hunches slightly and nods. Charles groans and sets his head in his hands.

Shaking his head, he looks back up at Harry, “we’ll stop this. It’ll be a hell of a job, but we’ll manage. It’s not like we’ll be alone either.”

Harry smiles at his dad, a line from Luna's prophecy popping into his mind. 

Seers, animagus, scholars, and followers watch him in awe.

Running through the people he knows, he grins as he wonders just how many friends he would gain when he joined Hogwarts after summer break. 

Chapter Text

“I talked to Healer Graves.”

Harry pauses, looking up from the game of gobstones as his dad sits up right across from him. Staring at his mum, he slowly sits up as well, listening closely. 

She sighs, “he hasn’t made much headway on the horcrux. That being said, we need to discuss options for your healing, Harry.” 

Nodding, he glances between his parents as she sits beside them both heavily. 

“The potions you have been taking only are working to repair the damages done to your body physically. They are not meant to repair soul and magical damages. And from what you told us yesterday I assume they are only repairing damages done to you dying your time with the muggles. We need to start working on the other physical damages. Now, there are two options. We either can have Healer Graves focus on the physical aspects until he figures out the horcrux. Or we can have him focus on everything and get you healed faster. But if we do that we have no idea how the horcrux could impact the healing process and it could end up damaging your soul and magical core even further.”

Harry gulps, staring at her wide eyed, “let’s do the first one. I don’t mind it taking longer.”

Charles chuckles, “no need to rush, dear. We’ll get Harry all healed up in time. We need him healthy more than we need him in perfect condition. It would be nice to skip all the way to that point but for now we can focus on his physical growth.”

Dorea nods, “I know. I just wanted to give him his options and let him choose. I am glad you chose that option. Now, when would you like your next appointment to be?”

Biting his lip, he asks, “what would we be doing?” 

Hanging over a piece of parchment, Dorea answers, “that’s a list of everything you need done and the order he will do it. I believe resetting a few of your bones will be the first procedure.”

Looking over the list, he cringes at it. Resetting his bones, strengthening organs and stretching others, fixing his eyes, tissue and nerve growth. He gulps as he sees just how far down the list goes. 

“Can I be unconscious for these?” 

Dorea laughs, “if you think I would let them do this to you when you are awake then you do not know me, darling! You will absolutely be put under for all of these procedures.” 

Sighing in relief, Harry nods, “I don’t care when we start then. The sooner the better, probably.” 

Nodding, she claps her hands, “tomorrow then! I will let Healer Graves know.”

Watching her leave, Harry sighs. This summer wouldn’t exactly be fun. He snorts, still better than the Dursleys though. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Getting led through St. Mungos was eerie. He had only even been in the hospital twice before, once for his check up just weeks ago, the other when Mr. Weasley nearly died. Following his parents, Harry slows as they pass the Janus Thickey Ward. Staring through the glass, he blinks at just how many people were inside. Gaping, he darts a glance at his parents, sliding through the door when he notices their inattention. Making his way to a corner, he stands silently and watches the orderly chaos. Nurses smile and chat excitedly with their patients, all calm and soothing as they maneuver around the ward as if it were a second home to them. His breath stutters in his chest as his eyes meet silver. Shakily stepping forward, he takes a seat across from the woman. She giggles cheerfully at him and waves childishly. 

“Hello. I’m Harry.”

“Arry!”

His grin grows at her response. Taking in her features, his confusion grows as he wonders who she was. 

“Ah-sell-ah.”

He blinks at her, “Ascella?”

Nodding excitedly, she claps wildly. 

“Ah-sell-ah. Ah-sell-ah.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Ascella.” 

She nods quickly, grinning at him widely before leaning closer, “pre-pretty e-eyes.”

“Thank you, yours are very pretty too.”

Giggling once more, she pushes a pile of parchment and crayons towards him. Looking down at the images printed on the parchment, Harry grins. Grabbing a blue crayon, he stares coloring the page, chatting with Ascella the entire time. 

“Do you color a lot?”

Her black hair whips around wildly as she nods with a large smile. 

“What's your favorite color?”

Holding up a red crayon, she waves it around happily. 

“That’s mine too!”

“Harry?”

He freezes, staring at his mother from over his shoulder with wide eyes.

“Mum! I'm sorry I-”

“I see you've met Ascella.”

“You-”

He pauses as he realizes why Ascella looked so familiar. She was a Black. Glancing around the room once more, he stares at the dozens upon dozens of patients within the ward. Meeting Ascella’s eyes, he gulps as he finally remembers something Hermione had once told him. 

“St. Mungos had gone through major repairs during the first war with You-Know-Who. He had destroyed nearly half of the hospital, killing everyone in that section. The Janus Thickey Ward had to be started anew, Alice and Frank Longbottom were the first new patients after the attack.” 

His knees weaken as the past hits him like a truck. Voldemort had killed them, killed all of these innocent people just because he was a sick human being.

“Oh dear! Are you okay, Harry?”

Closing his eyes for a moment, he sighs and nods. Smiling at Ascella, he passes the paper back to her. 

“I have an appointment to get to. Maybe I could visit you afterwards?” 

Ascella frowns for a second before grinning and nodding, going back to her coloring happily as Harry turns away. 

“What's wrong?”

Shaking his head, Harry walks away from the ward, “not now. I'll tell you both later.”

Glancing back towards the ward in concern, she follows behind him with a final nod. He stares in front of himself blankly as he finds his way to the room for his procedure. Sitting down on the operating table, he barely even notices the healer arrive and begin to sedate him. His last moments of consciousness are filled with images of Ascella Black, innocent and happy, dead because of a mad-man, forgotten to time.

Chapter Text

His procedure goes by quickly. Rather, quickly for him. Everyone else has to wait for hours upon hours, listening to the dreadful snapping of his bones as each and everyone of them is broken only to be reset the correct way for once. Waking up late into the night, he sighs as he stares up at the ceiling. Rolling over, he blinks as he sits up. Curing his fingers, he gapes at them. 

“Oh,” he whispers. 

Clenching his fusts, tears spring to his eyes as his fingers listen to him with ease. No pain and full range of movement. Not the stuck clawed versions of before. Gulping, he stands up and nearly collapses backwards once more. Holding his knees, he laughs with glee as he stands up straight, walking around the room easily. Hopping up and down, he spins around with his arms open wide. 

“Is this what it's supposed to feel like?” 

“Yes.”

He freezes, turning to stare at the now open door with a smiling Healer Graves in it.

“Your bones were all broken and never reset properly. This is what it feels like to have your bones all in the proper placement for once. Now if you wouldn't mind, I would like to give you a brief check up to ensure you are all set to leave in the morning.”

“Morning?”

Harry turns quickly to stare out at the dark window. 

Nodding, he smiles at the healer, “sure, yeah.”

Healer Graves nods back before ushering Harry back into his bed. Casting a few spells on Harry, he asks multiple questions and even taps his knees and joints to ensure their function.

“Very well. It looks like you are all set to go young man. Now, you are free to wander. But please do keep in mind that it is night time and you cannot disrupt the other patients. If you do, you will be confined to this room.”

Nodding quickly, Harry agrees, watching as Healer Graves stares at him seriously for a moment more before leaving just as quickly as he had come. Glancing around the room quickly, Harry grabs his wand and jumps out from the bed. Walking to the door, he peers out quietly before edging out of it. Padding along the smooth floor, his eyes adjust to the dark as he blinks as he reads the hall's description of bone and organ health. Shaking his head, he finds his way to the end of the hall and stares at the map of the hospital before him. He gulps at just how much there was. 

Not only was the Janus Thickey Ward nearly triple the size of its future counterpart, but there were also at least a dozen wards that Harry had never even heard of. He inhales quickly as he stares at one in particular, Mental Health Coordination. Biting his lip, he continues on his way, the name still ringing in his mind as he arrives at the door of the room he had been planning to visit. Opening the door slowly, he creeps inside and shuts it silently. Making his way through the ward, he peers inside each of the rooms, staring at the people inside for a long moment each. He gulps as he stares at what could only be one of Luna’s relatives. Shaking his head, he continues on. 

Blinking as he reaches one room, he stares at the figure sitting on the window sill. Their head turns to stare at him slowly, eyes wide and haunted as they look at him. 

Finally, the man smiles widely, “hello. It is not often I meet people at this time of night.”

Harry smiles back at him, “I don't sleep very well usually.”

The man nods and hums, swinging his legs over the seat and gesturing for Harry to come closer. 

“I don't either. Haven't since…well that's not very important, now is it?”

Harry nods slowly, “I have nightmares too. My past isnt…very happy.”

The man smiled kindly, eyes still wide and haunted as he stared at Harry, “mine isn't very happy either. But…well…I truly don't know what it was like anymore.”

Harry stares at the man confused before smiling, “I wish I could forget sometimes.”

The man giggles and shakes his head, “no. You don't. I did. Forget, that is. I wish everyday that I could take back my decision and get my memories back.” 

“Oh…” Harry stares at the man in horror, “you obliviated yourself.”

He smiles sadly at Harry, “I did. I was young and dumb. It was the worst mistake of my life. I am slowly learning how to live once more…but it is a long and grueling process. And I do not even know who I am.” 

Sitting down beside the man heavily, Harry sighs, “it must be hard not knowing who you are. I didn't really know much about myself for years. I still don't know much. But at least now I have a name.” 

The man frowns, “the healers, they only call me Sir. I do not have a name.”

Harry blinks, “well, do you want one?”

His blank eyes stare at Harry for a long moment. Slowly, he watches as they lighten.

“I would like a name.” 

Smiling, Harry asks, “what would you want your name to be?”

The man blinks, “I can choose?”

Harry shrugs, “why not? You’re old enough to.” 

Biting his lip, the man darts a glance around the dark and empty room. 

“Well…I have always liked the name Casimir.” 

Smiling, Harry holds out his hand, “well then, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Casimir.”

Gripping it firmly, Casimir grins, “you as well…you didn’t introduce yourself.”

Harry laughs, “Harry! I’m Harry Black.”

“Oh! Like Ascella!”

“You know her?”

Casimir grins widely, “who doesn’t? She’s the beloved angel of this place! Everyone loves her.”

Harry smiles softly, “that why I’m actually wandering around tonight. I was wondering if I had a chance to see her one last time before I leave in the morning.”

“Come on! I’ll show you where she’ll be!”

His eyebrows raise in surprise as he watches Casimir jump off of the seat easily. For a man that was at least in his late forties’ the man moved as if he was half that. Following him, Harry smiles as they make their way through the halls once more. 

Ducking through a door, he blinks at the greenhouse surrounding them suddenly. Staring at the flowers in awe, he follows Casimir to the very back of the room. 

“Ascella!” 

Jerking her head up, she grins and waves at them both.

“Ha-Harry! S-Sir!”

Casimir grins as he sits across from her, “call me Casimir now. I finally got a name! All thanks to Harry!”

Ascella smiles widely, “Cas-mir.”

Sitting beside them both, Harry gapes at the parchment on the table in awe. 

“Did you draw this?”

Blushing, she nods.

Staring at the drawing, Harry shakes his head, “that’s the best artwork I’ve ever seen and I shared a dorm with an artist!”

She shrugs, slumping in her seat as she does so. 

“What’s wrong?” He asks softly. 

Casimir answers for her after a silent conversation between the two, “her family threw her out long ago for her disability. The only ones that visit her do so in secret so as to not be thrown out as well. She can’t be an artist. Only the rich can in our society. She would be shamed for just showing her face in public, let alone trying to sell or show off her creations.”

Frowning, Harry glances between the two of them, “that’s not fair.”

Casmir grins bitterly, “what is?” 

Shaking his head, Harry allows the conversation to continue into more lighthearted topics, but in his mind, thoughts and ideas begin to unfurl. 

“What is?”

He didn’t know the answer, but he would find out. 

Chapter Text

It was odd leaving the hospital. Like he was leaving something behind, someone behind. Biting his lip, he glances at Dorea. 

“Mum?”

“Yes dear?” She responds with a soft smile.

“Do you ever…visit Ascella?”

A long sigh escapes her, “I do. I will never forgive my father for allowing Cygnus to throw her out.”

Harry furrows his brows in confusion, “Cygnus?” 

She smiles at him softly, “my brother. Ascella was his fourth daughter. Andromeda, Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Ascella. She would have been in her fourth year at Hogwarts if she had been allowed to go. Cygnus refuses for anyone to acknowledge her as a Black, my father goes along with it. They threw her out when she was five, a mere babe. All because her development is slower than normal.”

“Who…who else visits her?”

Dorea’s smile warms as she looks down at him, “her sisters and cousins all go to visit her regularly with me.”

Nodding with a smile, Harry replies, “I'm glad.”

“As am I.” 

Following her through the living room, Harry fiddles with the piece of parchment in his robe pocket. Sighing, he lets go of the artwork, listening to his parents happily as he lets his thoughts rest for the moment. 

“Summer break is right around the corner dear.”

Charles scoffs, “don't remind me! I've enjoyed the peace and quiet without the little heathens.” 

Giggling, his mother continues, “I believe we will have at least one visitor for the summer. I am not sure if the others will join James.”

Harry freezes. Others. Sirius, Remus, Peter. Gulping, he sits down as they continue. 

“Sirius will be joining us then?”

Dorea nods, “I am expecting Regulus at some point too because of the baby. But Sirius will definitely be here at some point and likely stay the rest of the summer, especially with our dear Harry here.” 

Charles laughs loudly, “oh yes! I can't wait for that boy's shenanigans. You're in for one hell of a ride son!”

Smiling weakly, Harry lets out a soft laugh.

“What's wrong, dear?”

Biting his lip, Harry sighs and shrugs, “I'm worried about Peter.”

“Peter? What's wrong with him?”

Groaning, he replies, “Peter is the one that betrayed my parents to Voldemort.” 

Dorea gasps, “what? Peter!”

Charles stares at him, gaping in shock, “Peter betrayed my son? Peter?”

Harry nods silently, still lost in thought as they come to terms with his revelation. 

“Well…he usually doesn't stay long when he visits. And we must remember the version of him that did such a thing no longer exists. We will treat him how we always do but keep our distance until he proves himself.”

Harry gulps and nods quickly, not daring to say what they were all thinking. If he proved himself. Watching as his parents collect themselves, they smile at him. 

“Let's go out to eat tonight, shall we? I'm in the mood for a change of scenery.” 

Smiling, Harry nods in agreement as he stands with them. Holding onto his dad in the floo, he closes his eyes and relaxes, trusting the man to take him through safely. Following their quick footsteps, he smiles as they bring him to the same restaurant they had visited just weeks ago. His smile grows as he takes a seat across from them both, reading the menu happily as the day's events finally leave his mind in peace. 

“I'm thinking the scallops.”

His dad rolls his eyes, “of course you are. I'm thinking something italian.”

Scoffing, Dorea responds, “as always.”

“What's wrong with italian?”

“Nothing. If you enjoy eating the same thing every damn time you leave the house, that is.”

“So what if I do?”

“You're incorrigible.”

Charles grins at her, “and you love it.”

Blushing slightly, she glares, “arsehole.”

Laughing, his dad looks at Harry, “what about you son? What were you thinking?”

Smiling softly at them, Harry replies slowly, “I think… I’ll go for the fish and chips.”

Charles nods, “good choice!” 

Chatting as they wait for their food to arrive, Harry sighs as he looks out the window at Diagon Alley. He had only met this version of Sirius once, yet somehow, he was obsessed with the boy. Had been since he came to this time. Shaking his head, he smiles at his parents as he relaxes. No need to stress about Sirius, not now at least.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Sirius’ POV

Grinning, he stares at the trunk beside his own at the end of his bed. He had been preparing for nearly a month. And now? Now he was finally ready. Staring at the calendar beside his bed, he smiles softly as he crosses another day off. Running his fingertips over the final date, he sighs.

“Soon, Hadrian, soon.”

“Padfoot! Have you seen my shampoo?”

Laughing, he yells back to James before looking back at the calendar, “in the corner!” 

Groaning at the sight of the full moon in the corner, he smiles bitterly as Remus walks away. The best people are always cured with the worst fates. Clenching his fists, he shakes his head as the pretty little face of his younger cousin pops into his mind. 

Tuning to grin at Peter, he asks, “you ready to run tonight, Wormtail?”

Peter grins excitedly as he turns and nods, “yeah! I can’t wait. Moony has been doing really good lately. I think the stress of exams is finally leaving!”

Grinning, Sirius nods, “I think so too. Come on! Let's go.”

“But what about prongs?”

Sirius rolls his eyes, “he can catch up.”

Giggling, Peter follows Sirius out, hurrying behind the taller boy as they follow Remus from a distance. 

“Black, Pettigrew.”

They freeze, staring at Snape in disgust.

“Snivilus,” Sirius sneers.

Snape smirks, towering over Peter as he stalks towards them. 

Face to face with Sirius, his voice oozes wrath as his words slither out, “heading somewhere, mutt?”

Face twisting in rage and fear, Sirius snaps back, “to find your slut of a mother.”

Peter squeaks in horror, staring at Sirius in shock before glancing at Snape.

Smirking at Sirius, Snape leans in closer, “shall I follow you then?”

“Fuck off, Snivilus.” 

“Hit a nerve, did I?”

Before he could continue, Sirius hears footsteps on the stairwell. 

A terrible grin alights Snapes face as he glances upwards, “the Whomping WIllow you say? What fun.”

Sirius nearly collapses in shock, staring at Snapes retreating back in terror. He knew, he knew. Glaning at Peter, tears gather in his eyes as he nearly retches. 

“You told Snape?” 

Staring at James, he opens his mouth to argue, only to choke on his words as the boy rushes past. Shaking his head, he grabs Peter and follows behind.

“Transform, now.”

His voice is choked, terror filling it as he holds onto Wormtail. He rams through the doors harshly, transforming as he does so. Taking off after the Stag, he rushes towards the tree. Growling as James stops Snape in the passageway, Sirius leaps. 

Chapter Text

Landing on the other side of them, he snarls at Moony. Shaking off Wormtail, he guards them all from the wolf in front of them. Snapping back, Moony bares his teeth. Prongs shoves snap backwards as he paws at the ground, waving his antlers threateningly at Moony. They had fought him off before, but never in front of a human. Snape stares at the werewolf in front of him in horror, frozen in fear as those deadened eyes glare at him savagely. Hunger roaves Moony’s face wildly, covering it all in a greedy film. 

Transforming back, Peter shoves Snape with all his might, causing the Slytherin to finally stumble away from the werewolf. Staring into the ice blue eyes of the small gryffindor, Snape spins on his heel and sprints away faster than he had ever moved in his entire life. Glaring back at him, Peter follows, leaving Moony to the two that could actually do something about him. Ramming into Padfoot, Moony’s howl reverberates throughout the grounds, rattling the passageway dangerously. Shoving him back with his antlers, Prongs huffs as Sirius tackles Moony to the ground. Holding him down, they glance at one another momentarily. Grateful that both were there to help, but wondering exactly where they stood after this. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Scampering after the tall boy's long strides, Peter follows his every move just feet away. Skidding and sliding around corners, his breath comes in tiny pants as he keeps up with Snape, following him all the way to the headmaster's office. He watches as the boy pounds of the door, waiting until it’s finally opened slowly by the old man behind it. 

“Young Mr. Snape. What seems to be the matter at… eleven at night?” 

Snape scowls, “you let a beast live here year round and risk our lives every single month because of it?”

Dumbledore sighs long and low before opening the door wide enough to let the Slytherin inside. Sneaking past them both, Peter hides in the dark corner of the room, listening closely to their conversation as he does so. 

“You found out about Mr. Lupin then?” 

Perking his ears up, Peter’s eyes widen. He would just admit that information so easily? What if a space had been talking about something else? Shivering, he watched the pair intensely. 

Snape sneers, “I did. And the fact that you’re allowing such a disgusting monster to stay in our school shows just how filthy this school has become.” 

Smiling softly, Dumbledore twined his fingers together and leans in closely, “Mr. Lupin is allowed within this school due to my own personal gain, Mr. Snape. You do know that a war is on the horizon, yes?” 

Snape blinks, “yes, but I don’t see-“

“Mr. Lupin is a werewolf as I am sure you have figured out. I have gained his trust from allowing him into a school he usually would never be invited to. I now have a way into the werewolf packs and to possibly sway them to my side.”

Snape gapes at him, “you-“

“Why do you think I have kept Hagrid on the staff for so long when simple magic could do what he does with no trouble at all, Mr. Snape? He is a way in with the giants. That, and it allows me to see his strengths and weaknesses and study his behaviors. And Professor Flitwick for the same reason, he is talented no doubt, yet he is half goblin. Do you see how these men could no doubt be useful to me at some point, Mr. Snape?”

Nodding silently, the boy stares at Dumbledore for a long moment, “how else are you preparing for this war?” 

Smirking slightly, Dumbledore leans back, “in ways you could not possibly imagine. I have everything planned out to cause just enough chaos and destruction so that when Voldemort is destroyed I will come out on top as the savior and have even more power than I already do from my time in the war with Grindelwald.”

Nodding slowly, Snape inspects the old man before him, “why are you telling me this?”

“I believe you are useful, Severus. You are nearly top of your year in every subject. Your mastery of potions is greater than anything I’ve ever before witnessed. Not to mention your phenomenal occlumency skills.”

Jerking back, Snape swallows thickly, “y-you can-“

Dumbledore smirks, “no one has been capable of keeping me out of their mind in decades, Severus.”

Peter shudders, horror alighting within himself as he huddles further into his hiding spot. Dumbledore’s nasty grin spreads wide as he continues. 

“Now then, Severus. How would you feel about helping me?”

“With…with what?”

Humming, Dumbledore pretends to think before answering, “you were planning on joining Voldemort’s Death Eaters, correct?” Not waiting for a response, he continues, “when the light side wins I will vouch for your innocence. If you spy on the Dark Lord for me, of course. You will be valuable to him for many reasons, including the fact that I will feed you information to give to him so as to keep your persona intact and safe. And of course the cherry on top, you get revenge on those Marauders you so dreadfully hate.” 

His attention caught, Snape's eyes light up, “how so?”

“You will find out once I ensure your loyalty. Now Severus, are you interested or not?”

“Yes. I am.”

“Very well. Come with me.”

Peter watches as the pair leave the room, not moving an inch as terror crawls up his spine. Pausing, Dumbledore glances towards Peter’s hiding spot in confusion. Peering into the darkness, he sighs as he concludes it had just been a trick of the light. Leaving his office, he smirks as he leads Snape away, knowing his plan was one step closer to accomplishment. 

Slumping in relief, Peter skitters away to a hole in the wall, sliding through it, he runs and runs away. Further and further from the office he goes until finally reaching the gryffindor tower. Transforming back, he rushes inside. Trembling, he sits in his bed and waits, waits for the others to join him. 

It had been close, too close. If he had moved even the slightest, he would perhaps be in the same position as Snape right now. Being forced and manipulated into something no doubt dreadful and disgusting. He only had one person to thank for that, the odd little girl that had stumbled into him in the halls. She had smiled at him cheerfully before her disjointed words had thrown him for a loop.

“Whatever you do, stay silent and still within the office. You do not want to be caught.”

Then she had disappeared, he had later found out her name was Pandora. A ravenclaw in his year. Collapsing back into his soft bed, he groans, thankful beyond belief that he had listened to the odd girl

Chapter Text

Staring up at the ceiling, Sirius chokes back a sob as silent tears run down the sides of his face, soaking the pillow beneath him. James wouldn't even look at him, Remus ran away from him at every turn. Peter was the only one that would interact with him, but Peter was in the same boat as him. Secluded and shunned by the others, the rest of their house didn't know what happened. But if the star student and quidditch player were against them, that meant the rest of the house followed suit. He could never escape it, he would always be Sirius Black, not just Sirius. He would always be at fault, never an innocent, not with his last name.

The sob finally escapes his throat as he imagines the look of disgust on Hadrian’s face, the disappointment and distrust on Charles and Dorea’s faces. James had rescinded his offer of staying at Potter Manor, through owl. The boy couldn't even manage speaking to him long enough to refuse him entrance. He would have to go back to his family, be pushed around and molded into whatever they wished, all because of Snape. His eyes sharpen, narrowing dangerously as he stares up at the ceiling blankly. His tears dry. Sitting up, he stares out before him. Snape. Snape, had ruined his life in one go. 

His eyes dart to the trunk at the end of his bed, you could take the boy out of the Black’s, but you couldn't take the Black out of the boy. Swinging his legs over the bed, he stalks towards the trunk, slamming it open and grinning ominously at the book hidden deep within its depths. He may be the white sheep of the family, but he was still the Heir. Running his fingers along the cover of The Black Family Grimoire, he inhales sharply as the magic fills him for the first time in years. He had forgotten how good it had felt. His silver eyes darken, glowing in the darkness of the dorm room. Standing with the Grimore in hand, he silently leaves the room, walking away from his friends, heading down, down, down, into the dungeons of the castle. 

Stepping within a classroom, he opens the book, turning the pages, looking for the spell he had seen and never forgotten. Perdere dilectum tuum. Memorizing the wand movements, he snaps the book closed and hides it in the pocket of his robes. Tapping the tip of his wand against his head, he shudders as the sensation of becoming invisible rushes over him. His footsteps are silent as he makes his way to the Slytherin dorm, his voice hushed as the password leaves his lips. His presence goes unseen as he enters, no one there to witness the intruder. Gripping his wand tightly, he slithers up the stairs, robe swishing lightly against the stone as he stops, staring at the final room. 

Severus Snape, Evan Rosier, Barty Crouch.

Pushing the door open, he walks inside. Smirking at the bed farthest away from the door, he nearly laughs at how obvious which one was Snape’s. Kicking a potions book out of his path, he lightly pushes the curtain out of his way as he stares down at the sleeping boy. Black hair splayed out around his head, the boy's face is peaceful in his sleep, uncaring of the consequences of his actions. Unaware of the danger hovering over his unconscious body. Resting the tip of his wand against the boy's heart, he stares at where those coal black eyes would be if they had been open. 

“Perdere dilectum tuum.”

His voice is quiet, filled with malice and power as the spell leaves his lips. The silver of his eyes glows as the Black family magic runs through his veins. Stepping away, he sneers down at the boy.

“You will forever regret your actions against me, Severus Snape.”

Spinning on his heel, he leaves, never hesitating on his way back to his dorms. The family motto rings in his head Toujours Pur, it hadn’t always meant blood. It had meant intentions. If you were going to do something, do it pure. Do not hide, do not pretend, do it fully, with no shame. Their reputation had been created due to that, they never hid their actions from others, they had no need. Why would they have to when they ruled the entire wizarding world? If he was caught today, at least he had done it pure.

His laughter shakes his body and rings out down the halls as the irony of his spell choice hits him. Perdere dilectum tuum. To lose your beloved. 

Harry’s POV

He frowns as he listens to his mother’s words, her own expression concerned as she narrates the letter from James. He had never heard of anything like this happening in his timeline, perhaps he had missed it? He gulps, it had to be a misunderstanding, right? Sirius would never have done that. He hated Snape, but he loved Remus more. Sirius was loyal more than anything, he would never have shared such a secret, even out of rage. Shaking his head as the letter comes to an end, he turns and walks away, mind spinning as he goes. What had happened? 

Something must have caused the friend group to come back together in the future. He freezes, was this why Remus had been so easy to convince about Sirius’ guilt? Had he always believed Sirius sent someone after him in werewolf form? He shudders, eyes wide with horror as he gags. Whatever had happened, he had to fix it. The future was not up for debate, and he wouldn't let these boys ruin it for him. Standing straight, he heads to his office, mind made up as he goes. This situation wasn’t going to fix itself, but that sure as hell didn’t mean he couldn't fix it himself. 

James would be back in two days, Harry would have a plan by then. Nothing would stop him from repairing this friendship, even his own biological father. Opening his office door, he sighs as he stares at the pensive on his desk. Gulping, he nods. He would hunt Sirius down and force the boy to show him the memory. He refused to believe the boy guilty, not until the proof was shoved into his face. He had done that before and would always regret it, not again, never again would he believe his guilt without understanding the situation. He shivers, hands trembling as he thinks of another boy he had assumed the worst of. Perhaps…perhaps he should give everyone this chance. Even Peter. 

Chapter Text

He hadn't gone with his parents to the train station. He had snuck out after them instead, had hid in the corners of the crowd. His eyes strayed from one family to the next, examining them each carefully. Some he had never seen before, likely those who would be killed off soon. Others he knew intimately. Friends and foe both surrounded him. Watching the Black family, he stays nearest to them as the train finally makes its way into the station. Walking along the wall, he makes his way to the front of the crowd, staring at each person that exits the train. Finally, the crowd dissipates, leaving stragglers as the only ones to step off. His tall frame stands out as he ducks his head, black hair covering his face like a curtain. Stepping closer to him, he blinks as Sirius turns to smile softly at the small blonde boy beside him. Peter.

Gulping, Harry continues towards them, not pausing until he stands directly in front of them both. Clenching his teeth, Sirius grimaces and takes a step away from him. Narrowing his eyes at the boy, Harry takes another step forward, watching as Sirius hunches over, as if preparing for a blow. Turning towards Peter, he blinks as the boy flinches. 

Crossing his arms, he leans back, “I'd like to talk to you both.”

Peter jumps, eyes wide with fright, “b-both?”

“Yes. Both of you.”

Glancing at one another, defeat coats their faces as they follow him. 

Turning to them in confusion, he asks, “shouldn't you let your families know you’re leaving?”

Sirius scoffs bitterly, “what families?”

Peering at Peter, he clenches his fists as the boy winces, dropping his head in obvious agreement. 

Nodding, Harry continues on, “very well.”

Making his way to the very edge of the train station, he turns to both of them, “Mospey!”

“Yes young sirsy?”

Smiling gently at the elf, he asks, “bring us to the manor, please? Directly to my office.”

Nodding, she peers at the other boys before smiling at Harry, “yes sirsy!”

Snapping her fingers, she pops them away. Sighing, Harry takes a seat behind his desk and waves the other two to take a seat as well. 

“I want to know what happened. Not only that, but I want the memories. I don't know what happened but I want to know and I want to understand everything fully. Not just go off of what others have said and believe to have happened. From what I understand, James only saw the very end of the confrontation. Not to mention know one has said anything about what happened with Snape after the interaction. If Remus is in danger due to Snape we need to know and we need to do something about it.”

Sirius and Peter stare at him in silence for a long moment, taking in the information before glancing at one another. 

“Si-Sirius’ memory of the interaction would probably be better. I-I can give you mine of the a-aftermath.”

Harry nods, “do you both know how to remove memories?”

Sirius nods sharply, looking over at Peter as he hunches and shakes his head shamefully.

“Don't worry Wormtail, I'll help you.”

Harry smiles sadly, watching the friendship between them both. The war had torn this to shred, ruined it completely. Sighing as the memories are laid gently into the pensive, he nods at them both. 

“Would you like to join me?”

Biting their lips, they nod and stand up from their chairs. Dipping their hands within the pool of memories, their consciousness is slowly pulled from their bodies. Shaking his head as the disorientation leaves him, Harry looks around the darkened hallway of Hogwarts. Hearing footsteps, he watches as Snape approaches with a terrible grin upon his thin lips. 

“Black, Pettigrew.”

Harry glares at the boy, listening to him with disgust as he insults the other two harshly. He gasps as he hears Snape talk about the Whomping Willow without either of them ever saying anything about it. Frowning, he reverses the memory. Narrowing his eyes, he watches Snape carefully, glaring intensely at the boy as he sees his eyes leave Sirius’ for a split second. Those onyx eyes stare into Peter's far too deeply for a normal interaction. They shine with magic before he turns back to Sirius with a cocky smirk on his face. 

He scoffs and shakes his head in disbelief, “legilimency, the bastard was using legilimency.” 

“Excuse me?”

He gulps at the utter malice and rage in the voice behind him. Turning around to stare into those cold and hard chips of ice, Harry nods. Sirius growls, the sound sending chills down his spine as he stares into the eyes of the human form of a Grimm. 

“I’ll fucking kill him,” freezeing, he looks at Harry, “who ? Who did he use it on? It better not have been me.”

Harry shakes his head, “no. it was Peter.”

Another growl escapes him, this time louder as his head jerks to the side, “he'd better start counting his days.” 

Taking a small step back, Harry stares at Sirius in shock and a bit of fear. He had never seen him like this. This rage and insanity was something he had never before seen from the man. 

“Padfoot.”

Looking at Peter, Sirius closes his eyes for a long moment, grimacing and growling before opening them again, “sorry.”

Peter smiles sadly up at him, “it's okay. But…what is…legilimency? How bad is it? Am I gonna be okay?”

Sirius lets out a broken sob at the boy's words, eyes dry even as pain shoots up his spine. 

“You're gonna be just fine Wormtail,” hugging him close to his side, he continues, “legilimency is reading someone's mind, almost always without their consent. It's one of the most taboo and hated things within the wizarding world. Those with the ability are usually shunned by many, especially within the pureblood circles. What Snape did was violate your privacy and then use it against not only yourself but another innocent person.”

Peter gulps, “oh,” he whispers, “is…is there a way to…to stop it?”

Sirius nods sharply, “yes. And you're learning it. In the meantime I'll get my grandfather to allow me access to the heirloom vault to find something to stop anyone from reading your mind. Maybe even get some for the others…if…if they forgive us that is.”

Harry clears his throat with a scowl, crossing his arms as he says, “if they don't forgive you after seeing your memories I’ll take care of them.”

Laughing, Sirius grins at Harry, “I’d love to see that.”

Smiling, Harry blushes slightly as he turns away, “ready for the next one, then?”

Chapter Text

Listening to the conversation between Dumbledore and Snape, Harry closes his eyes.

“...And of course the cherry on top, you get revenge on those Marauders you so dreadfully hate.”

Whimpering, his legs give out on him. Head in his hands, he listens as the dreaded conversation continues. Shuddering as large hands wrap around his shoulder, he leans back into the legs behind him. Sighing as one of those hands runs through his hair, he finally lets the tears run down his face as he pulls his hands away from it. Staring hatefully at the old man’s manipulative grin, Harry grips the hand on his shoulder tightly with his own. Not only had this man planned Harry's very own death, but he had planned every single death in the next decade. Standing, he lets go of the hand as they leave the memory. Wiping his eyes, he stares at the other two. 

“We need to tell the others.”

Gulping, Peter and Sirius glance at one another, “I don't think they will be…happy…to see us.”

Smirking at Sirius’ words, Harry grabs the pensive, “leave that to me. Mopsey!”

“Yes young sirsy?”

“Hide Sirius and Peter for me will you? I have something to share with the rest and they shouldn't be seen until I say so.”

Nodding, the elf smiles, “yes sir, young sirsy!”

Watching as they disappear, he sighs before leaving his office. Pensive in hand, he makes his way down the stairs and watches as the four seated in the living room turn to stare at him. 

“I have something to show you all.”

Blinking, Dorea and Charles glance at one another, “is this…?”

“No. It's about something else. Just put your finger in and I'll join you all.” 

Sighing as they all do as he says, he closes his eyes before following them. Enduring the memories is easier the second time around, this time, he focuses on the others surrounding him, watching as they all react to them. 

“That greasy bastard,” James snarls.

Turning to Remus, Harry blinks at how pale the boy is as he watches Snape walk away from Sirius and Peter. Hunching over as James shoves past the other two, Remus sets his head in his hands. Hugging him tight, Dorea whispers gently in his ear as she runs her fingers through his hair. Holding onto James, Charles holds the boy against his side as they watch the next memory together.

Harry shakes his head in disgust as the conversation begins once more, this time though, he catches the look Dumbledore sends towards Peter. Straightening up, he glances between Snape and Dumbledore. Snape had begun working for Dumbledore in their fifth year, when had Peter begun working for Voldemort? Or had he…had he worked for Dumbledore all along? Gulping as they reaper in the living room, he ignores the tears, the rage surrounding him. Looking towards Sirius and Peter hidden in the corner, he clenches his teeth. 

“We need to find Sirius and Peter! We need to apologize to them!”

“No need,” Harry interrupts, “they're right there,” he says, nodding to the corner, watching as they reappear in front of them all.

Blinking as James and Remus jump up to apologize, Harry turns to look at his parents. 

“Did you notice it too?”

Looking at him in confusion, they shake their heads, “notice what darling?”

Shaking his head, he looks back at the group of boys, “in a minute.” 

He smiles sadly as the four all hug and cry on one another, taking joy in their reunion even as his own mind is filled with horrific scenarios. His eyes follow Peter closely, watching how the others held him close, treating him like one of their own. How he himself loved them all. Gulping, he wonders what changed. What had Voldemort, or better yet, Dumbledore, said to change this? 

Finally, the boys separate, staring at the others with red eyes as they gather on the chairs and couches. 

“What…what do we do? What did he mean…revenge on us?”

Harry’s eyes shutter, pain wracking his body as he shakes his head, “that explanation is long and very difficult.”

“I don't care,” Sirius states, standing and walking towards harry.

Staring down at those brilliant green eyes, he continues, “tell us. We need to know. Who knows what they have planned for us!”

Harry smiles bitterly, “I do.”

Blinking, Sirius asks, “what?”

Sighing, Harry waves for the boy to sit back down, “I know what they have planned.”

“How…how do you know what they have planned?” Remus stutters out from his place on the couch. 

Looking between them all, Harry stares at each of them. His parents smile encouragingly at him. James just stares, confusion marring his features as he watches the interaction. Sirius never breaks eye contact, staring deeply into his eyes, as if trying to read his mind, his very soul. Finally, he looks towards Peter. The small blond boy huddled in the corner of the couch. His breath catches, could he actually do this? Say what he oh so wanted to, needed to, in front of the man who had betrayed his parents? He looks back at Sirius, the man who had never been trusted, always thrown to the side simply because of his name. His eyes meet those bright silver ones, watching as they narrow at his hesitation. 

Sighing, he closes his eyes. This Peter Pettigrew is not the Peter Pettigrew from his timeline. This one had yet to do anything to cause harm. Opening his eyes once more, he stares at the pensive, something in him, deep inside, told him that the last memory went differently in his timeline. So differently that Peter had become the person he had been. That Peter had been caught by the two in that office, had been manipulated by them. He had changed for the worse, betrayed his friends over and over after that. This version of Peter? Looking back at the small blond boy, he smiles, this Peter is innocent. He could simply feel it in his bones, down to his very soul.. 

“You know me as Hadrian Black. That is not the full truth, my real name is Harry Potter, and I was born in the year 1980.”

Chapter Text

Silence rings. Nothing but breathing can be heard as the teenagers stare at him in confusion, glancing back and forth from him to his parents. Their straight faces and serious demeanor shock the teens further, causing them all to look between one another slowly. 

Gulping, Sirius stutters, “19…1980?”

With a small smile, Harry nods, “1980.”

“So you’re…you’re…?”

Sighing, Harry sits down heavily, “I am James’ biological son.” 

Sirius blinks at Harry, looking him over intently as he does so. Crossing his arms, he narrows his eyes on the other boy, determined to listen to him and hear what he has to say for himself. 

“I was in my filth year of Hogwarts when I traveled back in time by accident, it was 1995. I had just watched some memories I shouldn’t have and was running away from a teacher when I went into the Room of Requirement. Next thing I know I’m waking up in the infirmary 20 years in the past.”

They nod, watching as he fiddles with the edge of his shirt nervously, biting his lip as he speaks. 

“Dorea and Charles met me there and decided to take me in. The future where I’m from isn’t a happy place, the war destroyed a lot. And now…well now since I’m here…I’ve decided to stop it from happening again.”

Remus straightens up in his seat, “war?” 

Harry inhales slowly, taking a deep breath to prepare himself, “the dark lord Voldemort. He causes an uprising and people on both sides die. The Diagon Alley you know and love will be gone, replaced with one much smaller with far fewer stores. The very society and people you know will be gone. Life after the war is tough and strained, our population nearly cut in half.” 

Sirius narrows his eyes and leans forward, “you keep talking about population count, but you keep avoiding saying who actually died.”

Harry looks away, biting his lip harshly before finally speaking, “Dorea and Charles both die, so does James. The rest of you…well…you don’t have very nice fates either.”

Sirius pales, “James dies?” 

Sirius grips James tightly, holding on with all of his strength as Remus sets his head in his hands. Harry watches Peter, staring at then quivering boy with tears in his eyes as he stares at James, utterly terrified at the prospect of losing him. 

Gulping, Harry continues, “James’ dies in 1981. The rest of you…well, the rest of you are forced to part ways due to how everything plays out.” 

Remus sucks in a sharp breath, “all of us?”

Smiling sadly, Harry nods. 

Closing his eyes, Remus groans, “why? Tell us. Why did we go our separate ways?”

Staring at them for a long moment, Harry opens his mouth before closing it again. Looking at Peter, he exhales. 

“My parents were betrayed by their secret keeper and were killed. Everyone believed one of you to be the secret keeper and that person as well as another of you got into a confrontation. The innocent one went to Azkaban, the guilty one faked his death. The final one was left alone in his grief, losing all of his friends in one go.” 

James stiffens, glancing at Sirius briefly, Remus does the same. Peter simply begins to cry, his body shaking as the overwhelming emotions hit him. Harry’s eyes narrow as he watches them. Sirius himself doesn’t notice a thing, hunching over, he dry heaves. Coughing and choking as their future is spelt out in front of him, leading to disaster. Dorea rushes over to Peter, hugging him tightly as Charles helps Sirius calm down. 

Harry continues watching Remus and James, tracking their eyes as they glance from each other back to Sirius. First the Snape confrontation and now this? After a long moment, Sirius and Peter finally calm themselves. 

Sighing, Harry continues, “the guilty one got away with it. Never showing his face again until 13 years later when the one framed for my parents' deaths escaped Azkaban. The three of you reunited in the third year due to the last one being a professor. You planned to get the innocent one freedom and finally get justice for my parents but the guilty one got away once again. Leaving the final two together but being separated quickly afterwards because one of you going on the run from the ministry.” 

They nod silently, all of them too shocked for words. 

Dorea sighs, “you are avoiding names, Harry.”

He nods, eyes narrowed on James and Remus, “I am. I’m wondering why these two don’t trust someone in this group. They immediately looked at him as if he was obviously the guilty one.”

James and Remus blink, blushing as they realize he had caught them. 

“It’s interesting how you both jump to conclusions so quickly. Is there a reason for that that you both would like to share?”

Shaking their heads, they avoid eye contact as they stare down at their laps. Sirius and Peter finally look at them both, wide eyed as they realize what had been going on around them. 

Sirius closes his eyes, leaning into the couch behind him as tears run down his face. 

His expression twists as he shakes his head, “it’s me isn’t it? They think it’s me.” 

He opens his eyes, staring into Harry’s own for a long time. 

Harry finally opens his mouth to respond, “everyone did.”

“Fuck!” 

His body collapses in on itself, sobs emerging as he laughs wildly. 

“Sirius Black. Always fucking Sirius Black. I’ll never fucking get away from it will I? After everything I’ve done to prove myself? You still fucking think I’d betray you? Of course you do! After all, I’m a Black, I can’t be trusted!” 

Harry frowns listening to him, watching as Charles tightens his grip with a grimace, holding onto Sirius as he hugs him to his side. 

Peter stares at Harry blankly, his voice robotic as he says, “it was me. Wasn’t it?”

Everyone stops dead, staring at him in horror as tears run down his face.

“No Petey, you would never do that!” 

Harry tilts his head, looking at James curiously, “so you’re adamant that Peter wouldn’t betray you but unsure about Sirius? Why is that?”

James gawks at him, stuttering as he searches blindly for an answer. 

Harry looks back at Peter and nods seriously, “you did it. Sirius was sent to Azkaban in your place. Remus was left alone and wasn’t seen for 13 years afterwards.”

James freezes, “wait. If they’re all gone. What happened to you?”

Harry smiles bitterly, “I was left with my mothers side of the family. That’s another story for another time. Right now what’s important is the fact that you so readily accepted that Sirius would betray you all not once, but twice. If you don’t get that figured out, one day, sooner than you think, he’ll get sent to Askban as an innocent man because of your immaturity. You all are not the versions that did the things you did just yet. I am here to make sure you do not become those versions. But I cannot force you to change, that is up to you, and only you.”

They stare at him. Horror and shock melded into their minds as they sit there silently, absorbing everything he had said. Sighing, he leans back, exhausted from just a portion of the information he had for them. 

Chapter Text

The silence is nearly deafening as Harry stares hard at Remus and James, taking in their guilty eyes with their straight backs. 

Shaking his head, he sighs, “so you trust Peter immensely, to the point where you believe he couldn’t possibly have betrayed you. Why then, do you not trust Sirius in the same manner? It can’t be just because of his name, right? He’s a Black, but then again, Remus is a werewolf. If you can trust him, a dear creature, why can’t you trust Sirius, a dark wizard?”

James and Remus glance at one another before finally James straightens. Staring at Harry before gulping, opening his mouth several times just to close it once more. 

Shaking his head, he finally says, “It’s not just because he’s a Black. It’s the fact that he left them. Betrayed them.”

Harry stares at James for a long moment. Sirius gapes, his pale turning red as he listens to his best friend’s words. 

“What? What do you mean I betrayed them? My family are blood purists and terrible people!” 

James shrugs, looking at Remus hesitantly before replying, “it’s just that, they’re still your family. Even if my mum and dad were blood purists I’d still love them and stay with them.” 

Remus nods in approval. Harry blinks, staring at them in shock and horror. He gulps as the image of the Dursleys pops into his mind. They were his family, but he would betray them in an instant like Sirius had. Hell, he had betrayed them just by going to Hogwarts in the first place! 

Sirius glares, rage swarming his features, “well your parents are fucking saints! Mine aren’t. My father barely even knows Reg and I fucking exist and my mother? Don’t even get me started on that bitch! Don’t know how many beatings and curses I’ve taken over the years from her goddamned wand? Do you know how many Reg has taken? They are not good fucking people James, Remus. They are heinous fucking criminals that deserve the highest level possible at Askaban.” 

“My mother would rather die than have a “mudblood” even speak to her let alone touch her. They think muggleborns are diseased and deserve to be put down like rabid animals! You think your parents versus mine is a fair comparison? Fuck that! That’s the stupidest bloody fucking thing you’ve ever said in your entire goddamned life! Have your parents ever conjured a flaming whip and used it on you? Have you ever felt the cruciatus curse? No? Well look at that! You. Can’t. Compare. Your family. TO MINE! I left for a goddamn reason. Call it betrayal, call it whatever you want. But if you ever, EVER blame me for it or compare circumstances again, you will never see me, speak to me, or be allowed to consider me a friend ever again.” 

Breathing heavily, Sirius clenches his teeth, staring down at them both from his position in front of them. Shaking his head, he stalks from the room, silver magic sparking out from him. 

Harry sighs, rubbing his forehead as he closes his eyes. Opening them once more, he looks up at Remus and James, staring at their shell shocked and guilty expressions. 

“Feel better now? Or do you still want to take your anger and trust issues out on someone else?” 

James and Remus stare down at their lap, heads hung low as they hunch over in on themselves. Sighing in exasperation, Harry stands. 

“I don’t have the energy for you both right now. Just…just go think about what you just said and heard. Maybe contemplate your life choices while you’re at it. I’ve got an enraged Black to calm down.” 

Leaving the room quickly, he sighs, running a hand down his face as exhaustion consumes him. Pushing off of the wall, he shakes his head as he follows the sound of Sirius’ pounding footsteps. The hallways drag as he slowly follows the storm of magic up to his room. Finally reaching his door, Harry bites his lip before hesitantly raising his fist and knocking. 

“What? ”  

Cringing at the harsh tone, Harry stares at the door, “its me. I want to talk.”

Silence reaches his ears. Gulping, he stands there for a long moment, waiting for anything. Finally, he sighs and turns away, pausing as he finally hears a shuffle on the other side of the door. Watching as it opens, he smiles sadly at Sirius, taking in his puffy red eyes and tear stained face mournfully. 

“What do you want?” Sirius asks slowly, voice so quiet Harry nearly had to lean in to hear him. 

“I want to talk,” he responds, just as quietly as he reaches for Sirius’ hand gently. 

Sirius scoffs bitterly, “what is there to talk about? My friends think I'm evil and have for who knows how long.”

Sighing slowly, Harry looks into those silver eyes with a sad glimmer in his own, “and I want to tell you that I know how that feels. I've been through a lot in life, but I'll admit this. The day my best friend betrayed me and believed me to be a liar was the worst pain I have ever felt before. I've been held under the cruciatus curse, Sirius. And being betrayed by Ron was still more painful than that was.”

Sirius blinks, “you’ve felt the cruciatus curse too?” 

Harry freezes, “too? You’ve felt it?”

Sirius smirks bitterly, “have you forgotten who my mother is?”

Harry stares into those silver eyes, rage building in his body, down to his very soul as he realizes he and Sirius held more in common than he had ever thought. Gulping, he inhales shallowly through his nose, controlling his rage even as he responds tightly. 

“My abuse was done to me by my muggle relatives, the cruciatus curse was cast by Voldemort himself after he had killed one of my classmates in front of me.” 

Sirius sneers, “abuse?”

It's Harry's turn to smile bitterly, “you’re not the only one with a shitty childhood, Sirius.” 

Sirius huffs, “come in, we can talk in here.”

Smiling up at the other boy, Harry nods. Looking around as Siirus closes the door, Harry smiles at the bright red and gold furniture surrounding him. Following the taller boy to the group of chairs, he settles down easily before looking across at Sirius. 

“What Remus and James did was fucking sucky. Especially since they’ve been feeling this way for what seems to be years. That’s kind of what Ron did with me. He was always jealous of my money, even though I would give it all up in a second for what he had, a family.”

Sirius’ face twists, pain etched into his expression as he speaks, “I love them like brothers and they feel like I'll betray them any minute because of me leaving my abusive family. I don't understand how they could feel that way after everything I've done for them and with them. I just…I don't know what to do!” 

Harry tilts his head curiously, “what do you mean?”

Sirius bites his lip and looks away, “should I…should I even continue being their friends if this is the way they treat me? How they think of me and my actions?” 

Harry hums, “well…that's completely up to you. But think of it this way, they're immature teenage boys that haven't been through the same trauma and abuse you have gone through, meaning they don't look at the world the way that you do. You likely are more mature for your age than you should be. That being said, Remus should also be more mature, but he could be acting out of his own insecurities due to his own trauma. But they likely don't even know what your family put you through unless you told them. So, did you tell them?”

Sirius gulps and shakes his head, his hair falling in front of his face like a curtain.

Harry smiles kindly at him, “then they don't even know why you left your family, Sirius. Now I'm not telling you to forgive them or forget about all of this, that is completely up to you. I'm simply putting it all in perspective. What they did was not right at all. But they were coming to conclusions with the little information that they had and came to the false conclusion that you hated your family just because of their beliefs and were likely afraid that if their own thoughts or actions changed to be less “light," then you would betray them and run at any moment's notice.”

Sirius stares at him for a long moment, “but…but dont they know me well enough by now to know that's not the case? I mean, bloody hell! I used a dark curse on Avery last year because he called Petey a Mudblood bitch’s son!”

Harry smiles in amusement before shaking his head, “I don't know what they are thinking Sirius, I don't even know if what I'm saying is the entire truth. I'm just coming up with my own explanation for their behavior with what little information that I know. They could have had their thoughts and opinions for a completely different reason for all we know. I'm just warning you now, don't be rash. You may end up regretting your decision for the rest of your life, whether that be forgiving them or leaving them. Think it through, talk to them, and be patient. This is your life Sirius, you only have one of them, and it's up to you and only you to make it the life you want to live.”

Chapter Text

The house is tense for the entire week after their conversation. None of the trio had dared to even step foot in the same room, let alone talk to one another. Peter had gravitated towards Sirius, not looking in the direction of the other two as he avoided them like the plague. Harry and his parents were the only ones to tolerate their presence, watching their guiltily hunched shoulders and stilted conversations curiously. They had yet to interfere, allowing the boys to figure it out themselves, yet even they were beginning to lose their patience with the group.

Not a single one had made a move to begin the conversation, ensuring they were never seen near one another, not even passing in the halls. Staring at the calendar before him, Harry rolls his eyes. They had a meeting with the Black family for him and Sirius’ courting contract. He was sure this would turn out wonderfully with Sirius in the bitchy mood he’s been in. Grabbing his robes, he shakes his head as he heads into the bathroom, he would at least try to make a good impression even if he wanted to murder Walburga Black. 

Combing his wet hair, he stares at himself in the foggy mirror, he was sure to be entertained at the very least with this meeting. Opening the door, he shivers slightly as the cool air of his room hits him. Feeling his wand on his forearm, he nods as he finds his way to the door, ready to fight for Sirius even if it means facing the entirety of the infamous Black family. Shuffling forward, he smiles at his parents as he settles down beside them to wait, blinking as Sirius enters the room just moments after him. 

Biting his lip, he forces his jaw to stay upright as he stares at the image of perfection before him. Slicked back long hair framing his face, tight vest accentuating his form, and long black dress pants fitting him wonderfully. Inhaling slowly, he stands even as he continues his perusal of Sirius. Meeting that grin from across the room, Harry blushes at being caught in the act. 

Looking down slightly as the other boy approaches, his blush travels down his chest as Sirius whispers directly into his ear, “like what you see, darling?” 

Biting his lip once more, Harry looks up at Sirius through his lashes, “isn't it obvious?”

Sirius shrugs with a little smirk as he leans down to stare at those brilliant emerald eyes, “yeah, but I wanted to hear it from your pretty little mouth.” 

Cheeks as red as a Weasley’s hair, Harry stares at the floor as he feels his body nearing combustion. 

Laughing, Sirius wraps a loose arm around his shoulders as another whisper reaches his ear, “aww don't be embarrassed, princess. I'll take care of you.”

Harry’s eyes widen at the nickname, blinking rapidly as the shock permeates him.

Gulping, he dares another look up, “wouldn't I be a prince?” 

Sirius’ eyes roave his body, “oh trust me darling, I know exactly what you are. But you deserve to be treasured and given everything in all the lands, and if that doesn't scream princess, then I don't know what would.” 

Harry stares at Sirius, utterly floored, what had he gotten himself into? Shivering, he blinks as the taller boy steers him through the floo. 

Staring at the crowd of nearly identical Blacks, he gulps as a final cocky and suggestive whisper follows him, “unless you’d prefer to be my Queen, and I the King Consort. You deserve it, after all.” 

He stares at the retreating back of the boy as he wanders off to find someone. Standing amidst the crowd of aristocrats, Harry pastes on a smile as he forces the blush to leave him. Now was not the time to worry about Sirius’ flirting tactics, now was the time to ensure his place with the boy and his demonic family. 

He blinks as Bellatrix sidles up next to him, smiling at her confusedly, his eyebrows furrow as she turns to the relative he had been speaking to.

“I apologize Auntie, but would you mind ever so much if I borrow dear Hadrian?”

The woman giggles quietly as  she waves them away, “not at all, I see your mother over there anyways, I have something I wanted to discuss with her.”

“Perfect!”

Inhaling sharply at her harsh tug, Harry stumbles slightly as he follows her quickly. Eyes wide as he watches doors upon doors pass, he stares at her back in bewilderment and not a little bit of fear as he wonders where she was taking him exactly. Squeaking as she stops suddenly, he gasps as she shoves him through a hidden door. 

“Wha-”

“What do you want with Ascella?”

Blinking, he stares at her for a long moment, too long for her. 

Repeating herself, she snarls directly in his face as she stabs her wand into his neck, “What. Do you want. With Ascella?”

Stuttering, he shakes his head, “no-nothing! I swear!”

Pushing the wand further into his neck, he gasps for air as she hits his carotid artery. 

“That's enough, Bella. Let him breathe.”

Glaring at him, she shoves him back forcefully as she lets him go, scoffing as he stumbles. Hands on his knees as he forces his lungs to work, he stares at the three sisters fearfully as his eyes water. 

Narcissa approaches him slowly, primly as she kneels down beside him, twirling her wand as she smiles angelically at his pain ridden face. 

Running her sharp nails along his cheek, she leans in, “I shall only ask this once, cousin. What do you want with our little sister?” 

Harry gulps, staring into those sharp silver eyes as he speaks, “nothing. I swear on everything I am that I do not wish any harm or ill intent upon Ascella. I saw her while I was in the hospital and stayed with her.”

Her eyes narrow on him, roving his features quickly before she lets go of her grio on his face and stands. Rubbing the small indents left on him, he stares up at them wearily. 

Staring down at him, Narcissa finally demands, “stand up, now.” 

Dowing as she says quickly, he glances between the three as they encircle his form. 

Holding out her arm, Narcissa smirks at him, “if you truly wish our sister no harm, then you wouldn't mind swearing it, would you?”

His eyes widen as he realizes what she means, an unbreakable vow. Gulping, he stares at that deceptively strong and fierce arm even as he sighs and holds out his own. Wincing as her nails dig into the skin of his forearm, he stares into her narrowed eyes as Andromeda approaches from the side, finally making herself known. 

Tapping her wand on their conjoined hands, she watches him closely as Narcissa begins her demands.

“Do you swear to keep Ascella’s secrets unless all three of us within this room willingly  consent to the sharing of said information?”

Harry gulps and nods, “I swear.”

“Do you swear to never harm Ascella willingly or harm her with ill intent?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear to protect Ascella with your very being anytime you are within range of her?”

Harry stares at Narcissa, remembering those soft inquisitive eyes as Ascella smiles lovingly at her drawings. Smiling at her elder sister, Harry dips his head slowly.

“I swear.” 

Blinking, they stare at him for a long moment as the golden strings attaching him and Narcissa dissipate. Finally, Andromeda nods. 

“Thank you. You must understand what she means to us.”

Harry smiles up at her, rubbing the matching indentes to his face upon his arm, “I understand perfectly.”

His mind goes back to a tiny little blonde that had been bullied all her life. Left shoeless and sockless as she wandered the castle in the depths of winter in nothing but a shirt and skirt because of them all. His eyes soften as he remembers Luna, his little sister in all but blood. Staring up at the sisters looming above him, he smiles as tears fill his eyes.

“I would have done the same for my sister. I cannot and will not ever blame you for your actions. I admire them greatly.” 

“You have a sister?” He stares at Bellatrix for a long moment before he answers sadly.

“Had a sister. She is only a memory now, but one I will savor for the rest of my time.” 

They watch him, eyes softer than before. Kinship growing as they smile down at the smaller boy in front of them. 

“Tell us about her.”

Smiling at Andromeda’s soft request, he sits down on the plush carpeting of the dark room happily. Blinking as Bellatrix waves her wand, he stares at them as the lanterns glow dimly.

“Her name was Luna. We weren't actually related. But she was my sister. My one and only family member. She was there for me when no one else was. Just like I was there for her when no one dared to be. She was my confidant, I was her protector. I would have done anything for her, losing her hurt me more than losing anyone else. I miss them all, but Luna? I miss her most of all.”

Narcissa stares at him mournfully, “I couldn't imagine the pain.”

Harry stares at her, really looks at her. This was the woman who one day would know the pain. Not only of losing Ascella, but losing all of her sisters.

Gulping, he smiles at her softly, “I never could either until I did. I hope you never have to.”

They sit there in a circle, silently remembering the items they spent with their sisters. The lanterns flicker softly around them as they allow time to pass them by. Finally, Andromeda stands slowly, using the table beside her to stabilize herself. 

Laughing slightly, he rests her hand on her stomach as she shakes her head, “look at me, struggling to even stand up from the floor. Come, we mustn't miss dinner, otherwise grandfather will cast all of us out of the family.”

Smiling at her, Harry’s gaze lingers on her stomach. Would she truly be cast out soon due to Tonks? Biting his lip as he follows them out, he wonders if anything could be done to avoid such a fate.

Chapter Text

Arcturus stares at the table filled with his family members and the three Potters. His eyes narrow at the sight of indents upon young Hadrian’s face. Sighing, he wonders just how he’ll have to fix the situation before the Potter’s refuse to allow the courting to proceed any further. Whichever family member of his that was responsible would face the consequences. Eyebrows furrowing, he watches as Hadrian smiles easily at those near him, not an ounce of concern for his injuries. Titling his head, he settles back to watch, allowing his family and their guests time to relax before beginning the proceedings. 

Sirius stares at Harry, more specifically, the markings on him. Harry was his. No one was allowed to mark him, except for Sirius. Scanning his family, he narrows his eyes on his mother’s hands, confusion hitting him as he notices the shape was off. Humming, he glances towards his cousins, raising an eyebrow at Narcissa’s long and sharp nails, the shape she always chose. Leaning forward, he smiles gently at her from across the table, grabbing her hand harshly as his eyes narrow on her. 

“You’d better have a damn good reason for hurting and marking what is mine, cousin. I'm not exactly in the forgiving mood lately.”

The sisters freeze, staring at him with wide eyes. They had only ever seen his eyes this wild, feral even, once. It was a moment they all wished to forget. Shuddering, Narcissa opens her mouth to answer, only to snap it shut at his raised hand. 

Baring his teeth at her, he grins at them, “no need to explain. I'll get the story from him. And if it doesn't justify your actions, well, I guess the Black family will have three less members. And you won’t be cast out.” 

Standing sharply enough that his chair scrapes the flooring, he glares down at them before tuning on his heel. Stopping behind Harry, he leans down to whisper in his ear, eyes on Narcissa the entire time.

“We need to talk, darling.”

Harry pauses, staring at Sirius in confusion, only to blink as he notices the boy’s inattention. Following his gaze, he stares at the utter terror coating the expressions of the three sisters. Looking back at Siirus, his eyes widen and his mouth drops open as he stares at the utter rage and madness swirling in his silver eyes. Gulping, he stands, following Sirius down the hall as his magic swarms the area wildly. Spinning to face Harry as they enter a room, he narrows his eyes on the markings as he gently holds his face in his hand. Running his wand along the marks, he sighs as they disappear. 

“What happened? What did they do to you?”

Licking his lips, Harry begins, “something I don't blame them for.”

Sirius narrows his eyes, snarling as he notices the matching marks on his arm, “something you don't blame them for? Harry she fucking clawed you!” 

Straightening his spine, Harry stares into those wrathful eyes as he speaks, “they did it for Ascella.”

Freezing at the name, Sirius stares into Harry's emerald eyes, “how do you know about Ascella?” he gulps, eyes losing their rage as fear enters them, “what do you know about Ascella?”

Smiling gently up at Sirius, Harry sets a hand on his arm, “I met her at St. Mungos while I was there for a treatment. As for what I know? Well, you don't have to worry about that. I have plans.”

Sirius gulps, “so something does happen to her then?”

Harry gulps, looking away guilty.

“Tell me, please.”

Closing his eyes, Harry sighs deeply, “St. Mungos is attacked by Voldemort's forces. The Janus Thickey Ward is destroyed during it, all of the patients and healers die. They restart the ward after the war, the first new patients being Alice and Frank Longbottom.”

Sirius closes his eyes as grief hits him, “she…she dies?” 

Harry nods even as Sirius can’t see the movement, “she does.”

Whimpering, he asks his next question, “what…what happened to Frank and Alice?” 

Staring up at the pain riddled face, Harry answers as gently as he possibly could, “they were the last attack of the war, they came out of hiding believing it to be safe. They were tortured into insanity through the cruciatus curse. It is rumored that they survived the curse for nearly 30 minutes before their minds finally snapped. They were extremely strong and powerful people until the very end.”

Sirius lowers his head into his hands, “do they ever…ever recover?”

Shaking his head slowly, Harry answers, “no, they don’t.”

Nodding, Sirius sits down heavily, staring up at Harry in horror, “what else do you know that we don’t?”

Shaking his head, Harry smiles sadly down at the grief stricken teenager, “more than you want to know.”

“No,” Sirius shakes his head, “I want to know. If you have to deal with it then I have to deal with it too. We’re in this together, Hadrian. I'll be by your side the entire time, even if I want to scream and cry at the unfairness of it all, I'm on your side.” 

Smiling as he sits down across from Sirius, Harry wipes the tears away from his eyes gently. 

“Then I will tell you, but not all at once, and not right now. We still have a meeting to get through, now isn't exactly the best time to share the future with you when we have an entire room of insane Blacks waiting on us.” 

Chuckling, Sirius shakes his head as he looks at the beautiful face in front of him, smiling so softly he nearly couldn't believe the look was aimed at him. Grasping those hands firmly, he squeezes tightly before nodding.

“You’re right. Let's go and face the fireworks, darling. You can share everything with me once we’re home.” 

Harry shakes his head amusedly, “not everything. It would take far too long to catch you up in one sitting. And it would be very mentally detrimental for you. We’ll do this slowly. One step at a time.”

Smiling up at his angel, Sirius slowly stands and pecks Harry on the nose softly, “whatever you say, darling.”

Blushing, Harry pulls him towards the door, “now like you said, let's go face the fireworks.” 

Chapter Text

After clearing the air between Sirius and the sisters, everything goes smoothly, almost too smoothly. Leaving Harry feeling cautious and confused. Sirius had seemed almost friendly with his relatives, with the obvious exception of his mother. Watching him interact lovingly with his brother, cousins, and other relatives left Harry nearly breathless. Sirius truly cared about these people, but he still chose his heart and soul above them, fought against his mother to the very end. Harry watches him closely, blinking as he approaches Arcturus at the end, following him to somewhere private. Gulping, he stares at the entryway anxiously, waiting for his arrival once more. 

Signing out a breath of relief, he smiles at Sirius as he approaches once more, holding out his hand to the nearly chipper boy. Sirius leans down with a grin and kisses him on the forehead. 

“Come on, I've got news to share with you.”

Nodding, Harry follows Sirius into the floo, still utterly bewildered by the excitement and cheery attitude of the man after a conversation with his supposed hated grandfather. 

Tugging Harry up the stairs, Sirius laughs loudly, “come on, Hadrian, keep up!” 

Harry rolls his eyes with a grin and huffs, “well I'm not the one sprinting up the stairs!” 

“It's not my problem you’ve got sucky stamina!”

Harry scoffs, giggling immaturely, “not yet.”

Freezeinf, Sirius stares at Harry with wide eyes and his mouth agape, “we are getting you started on an endurance routine immediately.”

Tilting his head back, Harry laughs loudly, shoving the other boy further up the stairs, “come on! Didn't you say you have news?”

Shaking his head, Sirius narrows his eyes, “don't think you can get away with that, Hadrian!” 

Giggling, Harry rushes past the taller boy, “yeah yeah, start your routine later when we aren’t busy! Now come on! You’ve got news to share, remember?”

Scoffing, Sirius pounces on Harry, grabbing him and shucking him onto his shoulder, laughing at the high pitched yelp that escapes the smaller boy. Rushing up the stairs and to his room, Sirius sets Harry down gently with a grin.

“Sit down, darling, you’re in for a shock.”

Narrowing his eyes at Sirius, Harry crosses his arms and slumps into a chair.

Sitting across from Harry, Sirius leans forward with a small smile, “I won't be staying here any more.”

Inhaling sharply, Harry stands quickly, glazing down at Sirius in shock, “you will not be returning to that hag you call a mother!”

Sirius’ grin spreads across his face as his eyes shine brilliantly, “no, I won't be.”

Blinking, Harry looks down at Sirius in bewilderment, “but, where will you go?”

Sirius grins, “I'll be living with my grandfather, Regulus will be joining me there.”

Gaping, Harry stares at Sirius, “but…how?”

Sirius shrugs, “I finally told him what mother did to us all those years. He…he never knew…and…he was rather outraged to learn about it all. I don't think…I don’t think she will be alive for much longer.” 

Harry sits back down nodding sharply, “good.”

Sirius gapes at him, “good?”

Harry smirks at him, “good. She doesn't deserve to be alive after what she did to you both.”

Blinking, Sirius nods slowly, “well, me and Reg will be staying there. And…and I think it would be best for me to take a break from James and Remus. At least for the moment, I don't know if it'll be permanent, but I definitely need time to think about everything and clear my head without having to worry about running into them both all the time.”

Harry nods slowly, “I understand. And I agree. Time away can definitely help you come to a decision. And just know I will always be on your side in this. James may have been my after in another time but that is not this dimension. He is simply another teenager that I am related to. He has not matured into the man I had called my father. I will support you to the ends of the earth, sirius. You do not even understand the depths of my feelings for you and how much I care for you. No matter what happens, you will always have me by your side.”

Sirius’ expression twists as he gulps, tears filling his eyes as he looks away briefly, “thank you,” he chokes out, “thank you, Hadrian. And I'll always be by your side as well, I swear it.” 

Harry smiles as hold onto Sirius’ hand, staring into his eyes as he replies, “we’re in this together, no matter what.”

Nodding rapidly, Sirius sniffs, “no matter what.”

Biting his lip, Harry looks at Sirius for a long moment before smiling softly, “have I ever mentioned that I’ve ridden a hippogriff?”

Snapping his head up to look at the boy across from him, Sirius shakes his head slowly at the shock of the statement.

Grinning, Harry leans forward excitedly, “I had this professor in third year, you may even know him. Hagrid. He was amazing but he didn't exactly know what classed as dangerous.”

Sirius scoffs, “sounds like the Hagrid I know.”

Giggling, Harry nods as he continues, “our first lesson was about Hippogriffs and Hagrid brought us to the padlock to interact with them. Everyone else backed up when he asked for a volunteer, leaving me at the front of the group. I bowed and Buckbeak, the hippogriff, accepted and bowed back. Then Hagrid, being Hagrid, lifted me onto him and Buckbeak took off flying!” 

Laughing, Sirius shakes his head, “they let Hagrid be a professor?”

Harry shrugs, “he was pretty good, except for the blast ended skrewts, those things were terrifying.”

“Blast ended-what?”

Harry laughs, “blast ended skrewts! We think Hagrid bred them on his own. They were disgusting, terrifying creatures! They had the shell of a lobster with tails that would blast you with fire and some had sucker things on their underbellies! It was terrible.”

Sirius stares at Harry in horror, “it sounds like it, bloody hell, what was he thinking having you all deal with those things?”

Harry laughs as he shrugs happily, “who knows what Hagrid is ever thinking! He kept a dragon in his wooden house for Merlin’s sake!”

Sirius gapes “he kept a what in his house?”

Harry grins happily, “oh do I have a story for you!”

Chapter Text

Sirius leaving also took the tense air away from the house, as if everyone had sighed collectively in relief. James and Remus strayed from the shelter of their rooms more often, Peter huddled close to the Potter parents, and Harry watched everything curiously. Charles and Dorea beside him all the while as they sat quietly, observing before making their move. Sirius had started moving pawns around on his board, now it was up to James and Remus to figure out how they would react. Harry could only hope they would be smart, and wouldn't make a mistake large enough to ruin their friendship permanently. 

Glancing up at his parents, he gestures towards the door before his quiet voice echoes in the dining room, “if you'll excuse me I'll be in my office.”

“Of course, darling. Don't forget to eat lunch.”

Smiling at his mum, he nods, “I won't, I promise.” 

Heading up stairs, he sighs as he closes his office door, leaning against it as the comforting silence of his office pervades his senses. Making his way to his desk, he sits down before looking over the expanse of notes covering it. He had a list of everyone that dies in the coming years, a list of events in his timeline, and a list of things he wants to change. All he had to do was create a plan…without Hermione. Sighing heavily, he shuffles through the stacks of parchment slowly, skimming the pages before pausing. 

Horcrux(s)???

He stares at the single word upon the page, blinking before standing up. He had very little information on these soul containers, perhaps it was time to do a bit of…research. Making his way to the family library, he wanders through the shelves randomly, staring at the blank covers of the books as he passes. Finally, he makes his way to the very back of the library, the section he had never dared go near. 

His eyes scan the words directly above the door to the separate section, The Peverell Library. Breathing deeply, he reaches for the door knob, tuning it and pushing the door open slowly. Stepping within, he breathes in the smell of old books, staring at the endless amount of shelves. He runs his fingers along the covers of the first few, in awe of their perfect condition even with their obvious age. 

Moving onwards, he looks at the sections above his head, Magical Beings, Tales of old, Necromancy, Soul Magic. 

His hands shake as he reaches the final section, gulping as he grabs the first book he sees. Secret of the Darkest Art. Cracking it open, Harry settles down upon the floor, skimming the pages before his blood runs cold. 

The creation of a Horcrux is the Darkest Art known to man, caused by murder and the splitting of a willing soul. The ritual to create these blasphemous objects is horrific, a runic circle for sacrifice is necessary along with the victim of the murder. The victim's body will be used, carved into for the final section of the ritual. Finally the perpetrator will begin to eat sections of the victim, more specifically the heart and one section of a limb. 

Gagging, Harry looks away from the book for a long moment, breathing deeply before continuing, skipping the next few pages, avoiding more descriptions. 

The presence of a Horcrux is immediately obvious to those with previous experience with the tainted objects. They have a pull, very similar to other dark curses. These objects have a dark magical aura and are easily identifiable with the usage of the spell “percipere anima.” 

Harry reads the spell over and over again, memorizing it before looking at the next paragraph. He nearly grins at the information, exactly the thing he had needed.

If someone wanted to track a Horcrux all they would need to do is find the person who  had created it in the first place, a sample of their blood, or another Horcrux/soul sample to use. You must cast “designandum ad animam” upon the sample chosen and the spell will take you to the nearest soul piece. Do be aware, however, that if you are closer to the person than another soul piece the spell will take you to them instead. 

Harry nods, standing with the book in hand before making his way around the library once more, wondering if there was anything else of use to him in the darker section of his family library. He pauses before another section, dueling . Biting his lip, he glances around warily before snatching a book at random, moving on quickly. Healing. Frowning up at the sign above the shelf, Harry looks around at the selection. Snagging another book, he nods as he walks away, only to freeze as he catches sight of one book in particular. 

Carriers: Everything you Need to Know

Grabbing it quickly, Harry looks at his small armful of books, grimacing at the prospect of reading all of them. Sighing, he gives the room one more glance before making his way back to the door, opening it quickly before leaving the library behind. 

The walk back to his office is undisturbed, leaving him with only his thoughts for company. Horcruxes, dueling, Healing, and carriers. All things he needed to know. All things he had zero experience in. shaking his head as he reaches his office, he sets the books down on his desk, staring at the book for carriers. 

His hand runs along its cover, slowly, he opens it. 

Table of Contents

Carriers: What Are They?

Their History

Protection

Spells

Laws Surrounding Them

Famous and Infamous Carriers

Children of Carriers

Harry stares at the options, wondering where to even begin. Hemriones voice echoes in his head as he looks over his options one last time. 

You never start a book anywhere other than the beginning, Harry! You never know what you may miss otherwise.

Smiling sadly, Harry turns the page slowly as he sits down, relaxing into his chair. He supposed he would finally listen to Hermione. And it would be useful to know what all Regulus was talking about when it came to needing Harry’s protection as another carrier.

Chapter Text

Getting through the books was easier than Harry had expected. That being said, he had always been better at subjects that revolved around real life. The only reason he focused so much in DADA was simply because it would and had saved his life on multiple occasions! Having books relating to him and his life was far more entrancing than magical theory. Even if the books were horrific and told tales of Carriers being used and abused before dying from exhaustion. He still read all four of them cover to cover, the only exception being the few pages in The Secret of the Darkest Art. He couldn't stomach the sight of the runic circle with the victim's corpse in the center of it. As he shuts the Healing book, Harry sighs, biting his lip as he glances back at the book about Horcruxes. Sliding his wand into his hand, he shivers and he finally points it at himself.

“ Designandum ad animam.”

His voice is just a whisper, echoing along the walls of his office as the spell hits him. Breathing in and out slowly, Harry stares at the blood red line slowly weaving itself out from his forehead. Gulping, he stares at it as it suddenly shoots out rapidly, going off to Merlin knows where. 

Canceling the spell, Harry shakes his head. Things just got a bit easier.  

Beginning his lip, he grabs the book before leaving his office, slowly making his way down to the living room. Looking around the corner of the room, Harry sighs at the sight of his parents as well as the three boys. Making his way inside, he clears his throat. 

“Harry! Come in, join us.”

Smiling slightly at his mum, Harry sits beside her on the couch, handing her the book with a slight hesitation.

“What is-oh Merlin. Why in Merlin's name do you have this book, Harry?” 

Gulpoign, Harry answers quietly, “it will help us find the others .”

Furrowing her brow, hse asks confusedly, “other what?” 

Sighing, Harry looks around at the boys before leaning in to whisper, “the Horcruxes.”

“Oh! Oh will it?” 

Going to open the book, Harry stops her quickly, “page 597. Ignore the rest, you don't want to see the stuff in there.”

Her eyes narrow, “you mean stuff that you saw?”

Grimacing, Harry nods slowly.

Huffing, she rolls her eyes before dutifully turning to the page in question. Skimming the words she slowly smiles as comprehension dawns. 

“Do you think the spell truly works?”

Harry grins, “I know it does.”

“You do? How so?”

Harry freezes, realizing his mistake.

“Harry? What did you do? Don't tell me-” she gasps, “you Merlin forsaken idiot! Don't tell me you cast an unknown spell on yourself without telling someone about it first or even testing it!”

“Er..”

“Oh you did, didn't you? Come, get up! We are visiting the healer immediately !”

“But it worked!”

“With what consequences? We are seeing him right now, mister. And nothing you say will convince me otherwise!”

Wideeyed, Harry yelps as she yanks him up out of his seat, staring back at the boys and his dad, he quickly stumbles after his mum. 

“But I feel fine!”

“Dark curses can have unseen side effects for years Harry! I am not taking any chances!”

“It’ll show us where the others are!”

“At what cost? I refuse to allow you to injure yourself for this, Harry. We will only be using this spell if it does absolute zero harm to you or we use it on one of the others after we find it. Now come on, we have a healer to see!” 

Hiding his smile, Harry follows behind her, grimacing slightly at the feeling of the floor network but staying a step behind her with little fuss. Listening to her speak with the woman behind the front desk, Harry looks around, blinking at the sight of a man with tentacles coming out of his nostrils. Jerking his head back to his mom at the call of his name, he smiles at her sheepishly before following her to the healer’s office. 

“Mr. Potter, back again I see? What is it this time?”

Dorea scowls down at Harry, “he decided it would be a smart idea to cast an unknown spell on himself without prior testing or letting another person know.”

Healer Graves blinks, “ah, yes that would be a problem, now wouldn’t it? Well then, Mr. Potter, just climb up in the bed here and I’ll do a quick little examination.”

Rolling his eyes, Harry does so, “I don’t know why this is a big deal, I feel fine!”

“You may feel fine, Mr. Potter, but some spells can cause drastic effects without anyone knowing otherwise until it is too late. And anyways, it is better to be safe than sorry later on, now isn’t it?”

Sighing, Harry’s nods, watching as the healer easily casts the needed spells. Humming the healer glances down at the parchment, nodding his head at the contents.

“It seems like you are fine-“

“See! I told you!”

The healer narrows his eyes on Harry, “ except, for a mild case of hypothermia that seems to be spreading outwards from that scar of yours.”

Harry blinks, staring at the man for a long moment, “hypothermia?”

The healer resists the smile trying to escape as he dupes his head, “indeed young Mr. Potter. It seems as though the sleep you cast upon yourself caused a chill to spread from your scar to the rest of your body. If it went on for too long it would have become a rather severe case within a few hours.” 

Gaping, Harry slowly feels a blush crawling along his cheeks, “oh.”

“Yes oh, see what you nearly caused young man? I love you dearly but you are far too similar to your father!”

Smiling, Harry looks down at his lap, knowing that Dorea didn’t mean Charles. 

“It will be an easy fix, thankfully. Just a simple spell and you two will be free to go!”

“Thank you, Healer Graves.”

Smiling, the healer dips his head, “you are ever so welcome, Mrs. Potter.”

Chapter Text

After a scalding hot scolding from his mum, Harry did regret his actions, even if they helped him in their search. He at least knew the closest Horcrux to them was due east. Not that he would tell her that. No, he instead grabbed armfulls of maps from their library, dumping them all onto his desk before unrolling them, marking areas due east from the manor. There were a lot, nearly too many. He sighs, looking at the list he had written over the last few days. Running a hand through his unwashed hair, he grimaces as falls back onto his chair, staring up at the ceiling, utterly lost and exhausted. To get so close to answer, just to be stopped, pushed back and unable to continue. It was devastating. He wasn't used to it, sure adults rarely let him know any important information, but this? No one had ever stopped him before. Never tried so hard. No one cared enough to. 

Sitting up slowly, ideas roll about his head, wandering around sluggish as he tries to think up a new idea. He couldn't follow the pull anymore, not when it would do damage to himself. 

Unless…

He glances back at the collection of maps. Unless he could find a horcrux already. He rubs his forehead, eyes going back to the book. Perhaps…he could tweak the spell? Snape created his own spells in school. If Snape could do it, then so could he. 

Grabbing the book, he rips through the pages, digging deeper and deeper into the dark arts as he searches. 

There . 

He reads, reads through everything about the spell, the things only Hermione would have been interested in. the theory, the maths, everything and anything he could find on it. 

Then he blinks. How in the name of Merlin was he supposed to change a spell when he had never taken arthimacy? 

Falling backwards, he groans loudly. 

He was doomed. 

He needed Hermione. He needed someone that knew what they were doing, needed someone who…

He freezes, a grin slowly taking over his face. He had someone, multiple someones. Grabbing the book once more, he runs to the door, slamming it open before rushing down the stairs. Jumping down the final few, he rushes past the small group of his family in the living room, all staring in shock at his sprinting figure. 

Throwing powder in the floo, he nearly yells out his destination, “Black Manor!”

Catching himself right before he falls to the floor, he blinks down at the house elf in front of him. 

“er..Harry Potter to see Sirius Black…?”

Nodding, the elf bows, its long nose nearly touching the floor as it does so, “follow me, young master.”

The halls are long, long and confusing as the elf takes him down what has to be every single one of them before bringing him to a single door.

Bowing once again, the elf disappears, leaving harry in the dark and foreboding hallways, alone and confused. Breathing in deeply, he steps forward and raises his hand.

 Closing his fist together, he exhales and knocks firmly, once, twice, thrice. 

The door opens, the tall lithe form of Sirius Black standing in front of him. 

He blinks, "Harry?"

Harry blushes, holding his book to his chest as embarrassment rushes through him, he…hadn't really planned what to say. 

“Er…I need…help?”

He cringes, his blush making its way down his neck and even further. 

Sirius’ lips twitch, nodding slightly, he brushes a loose strand of hair behind his ear before waving Harry inside, “come in, lets see what you need help with.”

Harry stops just inside the room, taking in the grandiose setting for a moment before shaking his head, “there's this spell…i need to change it.”

Sirius’ eyebrows raise in surprise, “changing a spell? That's heavy stuff right there, Harry," he winks, “luckily you've come to the right place.”

Flipping onto the couch gracefully, he lays an arm on the back of it while waving Harry closer with the other. Fitting on the small cushion left, Harry passes over the book, gesturing to the bookmark sticking out.

Reading the page, Sirius' face turns grimer and grimer with each word before he finally looks up at Harry in confusion and worry.

“Harry…why do you have…such a… dark book. And why do you need to find,” his face becomes disgusted, “ horcruxes of all things?”

Harry blinks, staring at the other boy in shock for a moment before he breathes a sigh of relief, he knows, knows what they are.

“You…you know what horcruxes are?”

Sirius nods, his eyes narrowing, “do you ?”

Harry nods once, never taking his eyes off of those bright silver ones before him, "I do. He sighs, this…Dark Lord that is rising…he…he had them.”

Sirius freezes, staring at Harry in horror before looking back down at the paper, “you want to find them.”

Harry nods, “but this spell…i need it to be cast on a person with no side effects to them. Right now it causes hypothermia that could end up killing the person.”

Sirius looks at him in confusion, darting another glance at the page before shaking his head, “no, that doesn't make sense, this needs to be cast on a horcrux, Harry.”

Clenching his teeth, Harry nods slowly, “I know.”

Sirius narrows his eyes, “what are you saying harry?”

Harry breathes in deeply before exhaling slowly, “he has a human horcrux.”

Jerking back from Harry, Sirius stares at him in utter horror. 

Gulping, Harry looks at Sirius carefully before forcing every syllable out one at a time, “I am his horcrux.”