Chapter 37: Chapter 37: “Unexpected Reunion”
Harry, after sharing his heart at his grandparents' graves, was about to leave Godric's Hollow with Mira when suddenly, he heard someone call his name.
Shocked and realizing his face had returned to its normal appearance during his emotional tribute, Harry was caught off guard. He had let his guard down, forgetting to maintain his disguise. As he turned around, expecting to quickly leave to avoid confrontation, he recognized the voice and paused.
The person calling him was none other than Sirius Black, his godfather.
Harry was in a dilemma, unsure whether to approach Sirius or to escape, especially since he wasn't sure if Sirius knew about the fact that he wasn't staying with the Dursleys or his supposed demise.
---
Ever since the fateful night when Harry was taken away, Sirius had dedicated every spare moment to finding his godson, driven by relentless guilt and a desperate need to ensure Harry's safety.
His search had been exhaustive, spanning every corner of the wizarding world and even venturing into Muggle areas. Sirius had scoured every possible lead. He tried to get hints from Lily's friends and even ventured into Muggle areas, hoping against hope to spot Harry. He questioned countless individuals, seeking any information that could lead him to Harry, but all his efforts seemed in vain.
Sirius Black's dedication to finding Harry reached a critical moment two years back, on a day that should have been filled with celebration for Harry's fifth birthday. Instead, it marked the final rupture of Sirius's ties with his once-close friends, particularly James Potter.
At the Ministry of Magic, filled with a sliver of hope, Sirius approached James with a simple request: to deliver a birthday gift to Harry. James's refusal, coupled with his admission that they hadn't visited or checked on Harry for over a year, shocked Sirius to his core.
For Sirius, James had been more than a friend; he was like a brother. The thought of Harry, alone and possibly neglected on his birthday, especially in the care of the Dursleys—a family known for their disdain for magic—was too much for Sirius to bear. James's indifference, based solely on Dumbledore's assurances, was incomprehensible and unforgivable to Sirius.
The ensuing argument was intense and bitter. Sirius could no longer see himself reconciling with James and others who had seemingly abandoned Harry. His godson, whom he had promised to protect, was left in an environment similar to the one Sirius himself had desperately wanted to escape from in his youth. This realization deepened the sense of betrayal Sirius felt, transforming his anguish into a resolute determination to find Harry.
Sirius's pilgrimage to Godric's Hollow on the anniversary of the Potters' deaths was part of this ongoing quest. Each year, he visited the graves, a ritual that kept his determination alive. He hoped, against all odds, to find some clue, some sign of Harry.
This year, as he approached the graveyard, his heart heavy with memories and what-ifs, he spotted a young boy with an elf. Seeing the unusual sight of a boy with an elf leaving the graveyard, something clicked in Sirius's mind.
Without thinking, Sirius called out, "Harry?" hoping, yet not daring to believe.
And to Sirius's astonishment, the boy stopped.
---
Harry was unaware of Sirius's thorough search for him. His dilemma now was how to proceed, especially after Sirius had seen him alive. Harry couldn't just fight Sirius and make him forget what he saw.
Stuck between running away or facing Sirius, Harry had to make a tough choice. Could he trust Sirius, the man who was supposed to be his godfather, not to betray him again? Despite his doubts, Harry chose to confront Sirius, needing to know where his loyalties lay.
His secret of being alive was out, and the only way to fix things was to get Sirius to support him.
"Sirius, don't come any closer, or I'll leave with Mira," Harry warned, his tone firm but filled with an undercurrent of uncertainty.
Sirius, recognizing Harry and overwhelmed by emotion, stopped in his tracks. "Harry, it's me. I've missed you so much. I've been looking for you for years. I wanted to make sure you were safe." he said, his voice filled with a mix of happiness and sadness.
Harry looked at Sirius with a mix of confusion and anger. "Safe? Sirius, I was far from safe! Can you tell me honestly, did you have a hand in me being sent away?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of the bitterness he felt.
Sirius's face fell as he realized the implications of Harry's words. Harry had not been happy and had escaped on his own. He was proud Harry had managed to escape the Dursleys on his own but also sad because it meant Harry hadn't been happy.
"Harry, I tried to fight against it. But no one would listen to me," Sirius admitted.
Harry shot back, "But you were supposed to be my godfather. You should've fought harder."
The regret was clear on Sirius's face. "I know, Harry, and I'm so sorry. I was outnumbered, and I didn't stand up as I should have. But I promise, from now on, I'll protect you. And you should know, I've cut ties with James and Dumbledore when I realized they weren't looking out for you. You don't have to worry about me taking you back to them."
Harry thought over what Sirius had said. He always felt closer to Sirius than to James, maybe because of how Sirius was portrayed as fun-loving in the canon. Yet, in those tales, Sirius never seemed to fully grow up.
Now, standing in front of Harry, Sirius appeared different, like he had matured in the years they'd been apart. It was clear something significant had changed him since Harry had been sent to live with the Dursleys.
Despite this, Harry knew that trusting someone wasn't simple. "I'd like to trust you, Sirius," Harry said cautiously, "but I need to be certain. Your words alone aren't enough for me right now."
Sirius nodded, understanding the wariness in Harry's eyes. He could wait and it was good knowing that Harry had escaped those magic-hating people. "Harry, take all the time you need. Just know I'm here for you, whenever you're ready."
Harry took a deep breath, weighing his options. "I'm going to go for now. I need to verify the things you've told me. I'll reach out to you through Mira after I've thought things over. And Sirius, make sure no one knows about this meeting. They might still think I'm dead, and I want to keep it that way for now."
Sirius's eyes widened slightly, a realization dawning on him. "Of course, Harry. Your secret's safe with me. But... what do you mean... everyone thinks you're...?"
Harry didn't elaborate, leaving the sentence hanging. "Just remember, keep this to yourself for now, Sirius. That's all I'm asking."
With a final look at Sirius, Harry signaled to Mira, and in an instant, they disappeared, leaving Sirius alone with his thoughts. The meeting had opened old wounds but also rekindled a flicker of hope in his heart.
As Sirius stood there, gazing at the spot where Harry had vanished, he made a silent vow to make amends, to be the godfather Harry deserved. The road to rebuilding their bond would be long and uncertain, but for Sirius, it was a journey worth taking.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
TalesByJaz
TalesByJaz Hi everyone,
Excited for Sirius to join the story? I've always liked him before his tough times in Azkaban. I'm exploring what happens to him away from Dumbledore's influence. But even a Harry who likes doing things his own way needs help sometimes.
Now, I've got a big choice coming up, and I need your advice: Which Hogwarts house should Harry join? In our story, there are no solo rooms—just the usual four-person dorms like I have seen in the books and games. So no advantages there.
Here's what I'm thinking about the houses:
- Gryffindor: Dumbledore and the Potters would be happy, but I'm not a huge fan. It's often for the bold or funny main character.
- Hufflepuff: Some see it as the 'less cool' house, but Harry would be under the radar here, making his Hogwarts years smoother.
- Ravenclaw: It's a favorite for fanfic writers with smart protagonists, and personally, I find it appealing and straightforward to write. No need to write about any hate he will be getting if he goes to other houses.
- Slytherin: Definitely the most challenging option. Harry would face prejudice from Dumbledore and James, thinking he could turn dark. He'd also have to watch out for kids from Death Eater families. Plus, Snape wouldn't be a fan, given his history with James and Sirius.
I'm leaning toward one, but your input could change everything. Which house do you think Harry should be in?
The main plot will not change anyway. This will just change his relationships with different people and his days at Hogwarts.
Also, if you're eager to see where the story goes next, check out my Patreon at patreon.com/TalesByJaz for early access to chapters.
Thanks for all your support and for being part of this journey with me.
Chapter 38: Chapter 38: “Gathering Information”
Harry, feeling all mixed up after running into Sirius, thought maybe Cordelia and Emma could help make sense of things. They might even find out if Sirius really wasn't on James and Dumbledore's side anymore.
The next day, Harry showed up at Cordelia's place out of the blue, catching Emma in the middle of her studies.
"Harry, this is a surprise! What brings you here today? It's not our usual meetup day," Emma asked, her eyebrows arching in curiosity.
Harry let out a heavy sigh, the memory of yesterday's meeting weighing on him. "I bumped into someone from before... Sirius Black, my godfather, when I was at Godric's Hollow."
Emma's eyes widened with surprise. "Wow, that's... unexpected. Go on, tell me all about it."
Harry shared everything about the meet-up, his voice showing he was torn between doubt and a sliver of hope. "He says things are different now, that he's cut ties with James and Dumbledore. But I'm just not sure what to make of it."
Cordelia, hearing the name Sirius Black, looked thoughtful. "Sirius Black, huh? That brings back memories. He was quite the mischief-maker. Good for him he got away from Walburga and ended up with your grandma Euphemia. Let's sit down and sort through this."
They all sat together while Harry explained the whole encounter, his voice filled with uncertainty and a bit of optimism. "He seemed honest, but can I really trust him? I can't just take his word for it."
Cordelia gave him a kind look. "Trust isn't something you hand out easily, especially with everything you've been through. We should be careful but also consider the chance that people can change. Besides, it might be nice for you to have another adult around. It's not good for you to be so isolated."
Emma, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "Harry, why don't we find out more about Sirius's current situation? I have a friend who's quite connected in wizarding circles. She might know something."
Emma moved to the Floo network, calling upon her friend Clara, a well-connected witch known for her insights into wizarding society. Clara's face appeared in the emerald flames, her expression brightening upon seeing Emma.
"Emma! What a pleasant surprise!" Clara exclaimed, her face lighting up. "To what do I owe this call?"
Emma exchanged pleasantries with Clara, her tone casual yet probing. "Clara, you always have the latest news. What's the word on Sirius Black these days?"
Clara leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Oh, Sirius? He's been the talk of the town. Rumor has it he's in a relationship. Can you believe it? Sirius Black, the eternal bachelor!"
Emma, trying to steer the conversation, asked, "What about his relationship with James Potter? Any news there?"
Clara's expression turned more serious. "That's been quite the story. They were like brothers, but after You-Know-Who's downfall, for some unknown reason, things changed dramatically. They barely speak now, and when they do, it's far from friendly."
As Clara delved into the details of Sirius's estrangement from James and Dumbledore, Emma listened intently, gauging each piece of information. Clara described how Sirius had shifted his alliances, moving closer to influential pureblood families and stepping away from Dumbledore's influence.
After thanking Clara and engaging in a bit more chit-chat, Emma ended the Floo call. She turned to Harry, who had been listening with a mix of relief and contemplation. "It looks like Sirius has really changed. He's distanced himself from the people and things he once held dear."
Cordelia, who had overheard the conversation, chimed in. "It's not uncommon for someone to change allegiances, especially under the influence of a family head like Lord Black. I think he most likely reached out to Sirius after the split with Dumbledore. Perhaps Sirius is finally stepping into his role as the Black family heir."
Harry nodded, absorbing their insights. "I need to meet him again. I have questions that only he can answer. But I can't just blindly trust anyone after that night. I have learned my lesson."
Determined, Harry took pen to parchment, composing a letter with a gravity that belied his physical age. He was inviting Sirius to a secluded meeting in a Muggle park, a place where their magical world rarely intersected. The words on the paper were cautious yet inviting, a careful balance of hope and the wariness that life had taught him.
Once completed, Cordelia, understanding the significance of this correspondence, provided an owl to ensure its safe delivery.
With the letter complete, Harry felt a surge of apprehension mixed with hope. He watched as the owl took flight, disappearing into the dusk sky, carrying with it a message that might alter the course of his relationship with his godfather.
Just as a precaution, he did not send the letter through Mira. It was quicker but Harry could use the time to sort his thoughts out.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of mixed emotions for Harry. He found himself oscillating between doubt and the faint hope that this meeting might shed light on the enigmatic figure that was Sirius Black.
Cordelia and Emma tried to offer words of comfort and reassurance. "No matter what happens, Harry, you're not alone in this," Emma said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Cordelia added, "And remember, Harry, people can change. It's possible that Sirius genuinely wants to make amends."
That night, Harry found sleep elusive, his mind replaying the possible outcomes of the meeting. He was torn between the longing to reconnect with a part of his past and the fear of being hurt again.
The following day, a response arrived. Sirius's letter was brief, agreeing to the meeting and promising to come alone. The handwriting was shaky, betraying Sirius's emotional state. Harry held the letter in his hands, a sense of determination settling over him.
"This is it," Harry murmured to himself. "Tomorrow, I might finally get some answers."
Emma, ever the supportive friend, reassured him, "We'll be there with you, Harry. You're not facing this alone."
As they planned for the meeting, discussing every possible scenario, Harry felt a sense of resolve. This was a chance to confront his past and perhaps forge a new path forward. With Sirius's agreement in hand, Harry steeled himself for what was to come.
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