Chapter 53: Chapter 53: “Destroying the Horcrux Part - 2”
Harry was trying his best to convince Arcturus, saying confidently, "I'm not scared. I believe I can do this. We could ask Emma or Grandma Cordelia to keep an eye on us. If something starts to go wrong, they could step in and save me."
Arcturus replied with concern, "I get where you're coming from, Harry, but you need to realize we're dealing with something very delicate here: the soul. Neither I nor anyone else I know has enough understanding of how magic affects the soul. The method I've suggested is safer than most, but it's still not completely reliable or well-tested. There's no way I'm going to experiment with this, especially not on an eight-year-old boy."
Harry tried to push his point further, but seeing that Arcturus wasn't going to budge, he proposed an alternative, "What if Sirius tries it? It might be good for him."
Sirius, caught off guard, questioned, "You think I need to get stronger, Harry? Just so you know, I'm considered one of the strongest in the Auror department."
Harry explained, "Sure, you're strong, Sirius, but against Voldemort, your strength isn't enough. Plus, sometimes you rush into things without thinking. Maybe having a stronger soul could help you think things through better."
Sirius, with a hint of humor, responded, "What, you think I'm a fool now?"
Harry replied, "It's not about being smart or strong enough; it's about being even stronger to protect your family. I'd try it myself if Grandpa Black wasn't so worried about the risks involved."
Arcturus cut in, "Harry's proposal has merit. It could be precisely what you need, Sirius. And you can't deny your intelligence. Your pranks at Hogwarts, particularly the one that nearly harmed a Slytherin student, speak to your cleverness."
Sirius, begrudgingly accepting the plan, said, "Fine, I'll do it. But for the record, I'm doing this not because I think I'm lacking. I just don't want Harry to take unnecessary risks."
With the decision made, they prepared to proceed with the experiment, hoping it would not only bolster Sirius's abilities but also provide a new way to combat the dark forces they were up against.
Arcturus beckoned his house elf, Vardey, to retrieve a specific tome from his vast collection. Vardey soon came back, holding a book that seemed to almost breathe with a foreboding presence, its title "Magick Moste Evile" etched on the cover. When they opened it, a disturbing sound filled the room until Arcturus quickly silenced it with a few whispered words.
Harry, who was watching everything closely, couldn't help but ask, "That book delves into dark magic, right? Is Sirius about to perform dark magic? Are you sure it's safe?"
Arcturus responded with a calm, "Yes, the spell we're considering comes from the realms of dark magic. But, Harry, remember that the nature of magic isn't black and white. It's the intention behind its use that matters most."
Arcturus explained further, "The way we categorize magic into 'dark' and 'light' is just something people came up with a long time ago. It wasn't about good versus bad. Sometimes, people use what's considered 'light' magic to do bad things, and 'dark' magic can be used for good reasons. The reason I'm using this book, which is full of dark magic, is because spells that deal with the soul fall under that category. But don't worry, you'll get to understand all these differences as you learn more. For now, just know that we're not doing anything wrong, and Sirius will be fine."
Harry felt reassured by Arcturus's words and nodded, showing he understood and trusted him for the moment.
Then, Arcturus took his time to carefully teach Sirius how to do the spell. Harry paid close attention to this teaching as he wanted to learn the spell too. Many more Horcruxes were waiting to be found by Harry and Harry needed this spell to safely dispose of them while strengthening himself.
As soon as Sirius felt ready, having practiced the spell thoroughly, Arcturus proposed they bring Kreacher in to be part of this momentous occasion.
Kreacher arrived, visibly moved by the prospect of witnessing the fulfillment of his beloved Master Regulus's final request. His small form trembled with emotion, and tears welled in his eyes, reflecting his deep connection to the Black family legacy.
They moved to a room that Arcturus had set up just for this purpose, where the cursed locket was placed carefully on the ground, center stage for what was to come.
With a strong voice, full of resolve, Sirius initiated the spell.
From his wand burst forth a brilliant white light, wrapping around the locket, engaging in a silent struggle against the darkness sealed within it. After a tense moment, a ghostly figure that resembled Voldemort appeared from the locket, screaming in defeat before it was completely consumed by the light, which then receded and flowed into Sirius.
Kreacher, witnessing the locket's destruction and the successful completion of Regulus's final wish, couldn't contain his emotions. He laughed and cried simultaneously, a rare display of joy for the usually reserved house-elf.
Sirius, recovering from the spell's effects, along with Harry and Arcturus, watched Kreacher's reaction. They were touched by his genuine joy and relief, sharing in the emotional release that came with closing a chapter that had long haunted their family.
After the intense moment, Harry couldn't resist lightening the mood. "So, Sirius, feeling any sharper? Maybe we should dig up some NEWT exams to see if you've tapped into some hidden genius," he teased, knowing full well how much Sirius, like many Hogwarts students, had dreaded those exams.
Sirius, with a light-hearted retort, responded, "Very funny, Harry. I don't feel much different, just somewhat rejuvenated."
Arcturus then weighed in, his tone serious, "Don't expect any dramatic changes. The shard of Voldemort's soul that merged with you, Sirius, was minuscule. It's unlikely to bestow any profound powers immediately. The true extent of its effects, if any, will only become clear with time. The realm of the soul is still largely uncharted territory, largely due to the stigma attached to dark magic."
He then turned his attention to the locket, noting its surprisingly good condition post-cleansing. "A few simple spells should have this looking as good as new," he observed.
Harry, always curious, saw an opportunity. "Once it's fixed, could I keep it? There's something about it that fascinates me."
Sirius, curious himself, couldn't help but ask, "And why's that, Harry? It's not like you can just open it."
Harry's reply came with a playful smirk, "Ah, that's for me to know."
Arcturus, considering the request, eventually nodded. "Alright, Harry. Once I've restored it, it's yours."
Eager to see if the soul piece had any noticeable effect on Sirius, Harry led him to test out his magical prowess.
They were both pleasantly surprised to find a subtle yet definite improvement in Sirius's spellcasting abilities, particularly with the more complex spells which now seemed to require less effort. It appeared that Sirius had indeed gained a deeper mastery over his magic, a silver lining to the whole ordeal.
When Arcturus finally handed the repaired locket to Harry, he accepted it, already planning to delve into its mysteries when his packed schedule allowed.
The locket, with its rich history and connection to Slytherin, held many secrets Harry was eager to uncover. However, with his current commitments to training and his ongoing projects, Harry decided to shelf his curiosity about the locket for the time being, focusing instead on the tasks at hand.
Chapter 54: Chapter 54: “Meeting Sirius's Girlfriend”
The day after they began their work on the old Grimmauld Place was when the real transformation started. The first big job they had to tackle was the portrait of Sirius's mom, Walburga Black. She was none too pleased with the changes they were making, especially Harry's request to Kreacher to properly bury the severed heads of house elves that had been hung on the walls and remove the dark curses she had scattered throughout the house. But nobody paid much attention to her complaints.
Kreacher, the house elf, was able to quickly and quietly take down her portrait and put it away in the family vault, which made everyone feel a bit better. It was a big change for Kreacher, who had become much more loyal to Sirius after they fulfilled Regulus Black's last request. He took on his cleaning duties with more energy than before, which was quite the turnaround from the grumpy, cursing elf they were all used to.
The house itself was in pretty bad shape after being left alone for so long. It had become home to all sorts of pests and was full of old curses that needed to be dealt with. Cleaning it all out meant getting rid of these problems and sorting through a bunch of old, broken things. Some items that were still good were put away in a vault at Gringotts for safekeeping.
The cleanup was mostly Kreacher's job, but Sirius, Harry, and Mira helped out where they could. They weren't in a rush, taking their time to make sure they did everything right and got rid of all the dark magic hiding in the house.
During this time, the house began to feel different. It was slowly turning back into a home, a place that was safe and welcoming instead of dark and scary. This was a big step for Sirius, turning a place with so many bad memories into something new.
Over the next few weeks, everyone noticed a significant change in Sirius. After the Horcrux was destroyed and its power absorbed, Sirius seemed to have grown in confidence and strength. This new version of Sirius was more capable and determined, showing a remarkable improvement in his duties as an Auror. Tasks that used to be challenging for him now appeared to be much simpler, and he handled them with a newfound ease.
Harry was very happy to see this change in Sirius. The current Sirius was miles better than the Sirius Black in the books who while unhappy about being locked up in Grimmauld Place and Harry being placed at Dursleys, still listened to the orders of Dumbledore.
Amidst these developments, Sirius decided it was time for Harry to meet the special someone in his life—a secret he had managed to keep from Harry until now.
With this in mind, Sirius got to work, making sure the living room of Grimmauld Place was tidy and welcoming for the visit. The importance of this meeting was clear, and Sirius wanted everything to be just right for when Harry met this significant person in his life.
On this day, Harry found himself on one of the plush, new sofas that had replaced the old, worn-out ones in Grimmauld Place. The room had taken on a cozy feel, a testament to Sirius's efforts to make the house feel more like a home.
Moments later, Sirius came into the room, but he wasn't alone. With him was a woman whose mere presence seemed to fill the space with an air of authority and respect. She had short, neatly styled grey hair, and though Harry had expected the iconic monocle often mentioned alongside her name in the Daily Prophet, it was absent today.
This was none other than Amelia Bones, a well-known person in the Ministry of Magic. Amelia Bones was known for her rapid ascent through the Ministry's ranks, respected and admired by many for her integrity and skill. It was well-known that she had climbed from a clerical position to become the Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, an impressive feat, especially considering she had not started her career as an Auror.
"Harry, I'd like you to meet Amelia Bones," Sirius introduced her with evident pride. "She works with me at the department and is a very close friend."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bones. Sirius has often mentioned great things about his special someone. I must admit, I was skeptical, but it appears he wasn't exaggerating," Harry said, extending a handshake, his tone laden with respect.
"Please, call me Amelia," she responded, returning Harry's handshake with a firm grip. "And the pleasure is all mine, Harry. Sirius's determination to find you had been taking a toll on his health. I'm just glad to see his efforts come to fruition."
Harry thanked her for helping Sirius during that time and then couldn't help but ask "I'm really curious, how did the two of you end up together? Sirius, while many things, seems quite the mismatch for someone exceptional like you."
Amelia chuckled at this, but Sirius, ready to defend his charm, interjected, "Hey now, I'm not without my own merits. Top Auror, heir to the Black family... I'll have you know many witches at the ministry are quite taken with me."
However, Amelia's amused glance cut his boasting short, leading Sirius to trail off, much to Harry's amusement. It was clear to him that despite their differences, Sirius and Amelia shared a genuine connection.
As they all made themselves comfortable, the conversation turned to stories of Amelia's Hogwarts years and her encounters with a younger, troublemaking Sirius. Harry was drawn to Amelia's strength, her unwavering kindness, and her deep-seated sense of justice, so much so that she even expressed a willingness to hold Dumbledore accountable for past mistakes.
Harry reassured her that he had moved on, valuing the lessons learned more than dwelling on the past. He also did not want Amelia to jeopardize her growing career at the ministry by going after Dumbledore.
As Amelia prepared to leave, she warmly invited Harry and Sirius to come to Bones Manor. She mentioned that Harry could meet her niece, Susan, who was close to his age. Harry was immediately interested, looking forward to meeting someone from his brother Charles's peer group and a character he had read about in his previous life's books and fanfictions.
Throughout their conversation, Harry's admiration for Amelia had deepened. She wasn't just a high-ranking official at the Ministry; she was a person who stood firmly for what was right, fighting against injustices wherever she found them. Amelia shared stories of her battles, both within the Ministry and outside, showcasing her dedication not only to her duty but to the greater good.
Harry realized just how well Sirius had chosen his company. Amelia Bones was a powerful witch, certainly, but more importantly, she was a person of great integrity and kindness. Knowing Sirius had someone like Amelia in his life eased any concerns Harry might have had about his godfather's future. With Amelia by his side, Harry was confident that Sirius would be in good hands, capable of facing whatever came their way with strength and wisdom.
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