Chapter 68: Chapter 68: "Sirius Confrontations"
The following morning found Dumbledore, along with James and Lily, intercepting Sirius as he made his way to his duties, still buzzing from the high spirits of the previous night's prank war at the Black Castle. Sirius was in a particularly good mood because of the event, where teams led by Harry, Emma, and David on one side, and Sirius and Amelia on the other, had competed in a jovial battle of pranks under Susan's watchful eye as the referee. Though the contest ended without a declared winner, it left everyone with wildly colored hair, skin, and shoes, marking it as an evening of unforgettable fun.
However, Sirius's cheerful demeanor faltered when he encountered the trio, their serious expressions indicating the gravity of the situation. Yet, recalling the recent success of Harry's emancipation, a chuckle escaped him again, much to James's irritation.
"What's so amusing, Sirius? Is it funny to you, taking a child away from his parents?" James challenged, frustration evident in his voice.
To this, Sirius responded with a hint of triumph in his tone, "Actually, yes, it is. I find it quite amusing that I managed to protect my godson from being stripped of his rightful inheritance and from parents who clearly didn't prioritize his well-being."
Realizing the sensitivity of the topic and the unsuitability of their current location for such a discussion, Dumbledore intervened, suggesting, "Perhaps we should move this conversation to my office, where we can speak more privately. Would that be alright with you, Sirius?"
"Although I have no qualms discussing this matter here, I'll respect your wish for privacy," Sirius acquiesced, his agreement tinged with a note of sarcasm. He then followed the group to Dumbledore's office, continuing to hum his cheerful tune, much to James's annoyance. Despite his growing irritation, James remained silent, understanding the importance of Sirius's cooperation in unraveling the situation.
After they made themselves comfortable in Dumbledore's office and privacy spells were in place, Lily immediately directed her concern to Sirius, "Where's Harry, Sirius? Is he okay? Can I see him?"
Sirius responded bluntly, "Harry's better off without seeing any of you again. He has no desire to meet you. In fact, he hates you all, and for good reason."
Dumbledore, attempting to mediate, remarked, "Hate is quite a strong word, Sirius. Has Arcturus influenced Harry against his own parents? It wouldn't be surprising, coming from the Blacks."
"Grandfather didn't need to do anything. Harry's hate for you was cemented by your actions, not by any external influence," Sirius countered, making it clear that the fault lay entirely with Dumbledore and the Potters.
Lily, confused and seeking justification, insisted, "But he should understand why we had to send him away. The protections we set up at our new house could only safeguard three of us. There was no alternative but to send Harry to live elsewhere."
Sirius couldn't help but laugh at the explanation, "Do you actually buy that excuse? It might have held water if you'd actually lived like Hermits. But no, you've been out, going to parties, living it up, while Harry endured hardships among Muggles. He's well aware of the truth. He knows the only reason you sent him away was your preference for Charles to inherit the Potter legacy. There's no other explanation that makes any sense."
James tried to justify, "What does it matter? Charles needed the Heirship more. Harry shouldn't be so upset over a mere ring."
Sirius's response was cutting, "That coming from someone who flaunted his ring at Hogwarts for seven years and then sulked after losing the lordship test? You've become a hypocrite, James. Perhaps you always were, and I just didn't see it before."
The exchange laid bare the deep rifts and painful truths among them, with Sirius unafraid to voice the harsh realities that Dumbledore and the Potters were reluctant to acknowledge.
Dumbledore attempted to shift the focus, "Let's set aside the issue of the ring for a moment. Perhaps it would be beneficial for Harry to see his parents again. He's likely missed them after being apart for so long. They should have the opportunity to discuss and resolve their issues without external interference, Sirius."
However, Sirius stood firm in his stance, "While I'd prefer not to get involved, Harry has made it clear he never wants to see his parents again. He's asked me to convey his lack of forgiveness for being sent away to suffer in the muggle world while his family lived comfortably in the magical world."
James, dismissive of Harry's feelings, retorted, "What suffering? He was merely living without magic. He needs to get over it and return home. We'll be contesting his emancipation and have it reversed. You had no right to support his emancipation, Sirius."
Sirius, undeterred, responded, "Feel free to challenge it, but be prepared for everything to come out into the open. Initially, Harry was inclined to change his guardianship legally, exposing everything. However, he ultimately chose a different path to avoid tarnishing the Potter family's reputation. James, it would become public knowledge that you were manipulated into abandoning your own son."
James, stubbornly, said, "We're ready to face whatever comes. It's unacceptable for the Potter Heir to be influenced by those associated with Death Eaters. With our standing in the Wizengamot, we have a strong chance of winning."
Lily, driven by a desire to reunite with her son, declared, "I want Harry back, and I'm willing to fight for it. Sirius, please let us see him just once."
Sirius stood firm in his decision, "Be prepared for a legal battle then. Harry has no interest in seeing you." Then, turning to Dumbledore with a hint of sarcasm, he continued, "Professor! Surprised to see Harry's still alive, aren't you? You probably thought he was dead. I was curious about your reaction when you discovered he's been alive this whole time. The best joke was played by someone very close to Harry, who claims not to enjoy pranks. It appears these two know nothing about the supposed death of Harry. I'm eager to see how the wizarding world reacts to your true colors during the trial," Sirius added, his voice laced with anger.
Lily, confused and alarmed, asked, "What do you mean, 'Harry was dead'?"
Sirius explained, "Harry nearly died five years ago, right in your sister's home. If it hadn't been for his magic breaking through one of Dumbledore's spells, he wouldn't have made it through the night. It appears you're unaware of the life he endured with your sister. It was far from pleasant. Dumbledore has remained silent about this, or perhaps you never bothered to inquire about Harry after all these years."
Lily's eyes filled with guilt, prompting Sirius to add, "It seems I'm correct. You've neglected to keep tabs on your less famous son. I'll see you at the Wizengamot trial then. I have no desire to see you any longer."
James, trying to dismiss the claims, said, "Harry must have lied. Dumbledore had magical means to monitor him. I once checked, and it seemed Harry was well-adjusted in his new environment."
Sirius responded sharply, "Continue living in your fantasy. Dumbledore is well aware of the truth, and Harry is prepared to share his memories in front of the Wizengamot."
Dumbledore interjected, hoping to ease the tension, "Sirius, is this the path we must take? I acknowledge my failure to protect Harry, but James and Lily believed I was taking care of him. Now that Harry is living a better life, can't we leave the past behind?"
Sirius stood firm, his voice steady, "It's not all on you. Yes, you've made significant errors, but James and Lily share in the blame too. Harry's fully aware of the whole situation.
He's so adamant about not being hassled by you all that he's given me something quite revealing for you to see. Dumbledore, we're going to need your Pensieve."
Understanding the gravity of what Sirius intended, which could potentially spell trouble for him, Dumbledore nonetheless complied, signaling for a Hogwarts house elf to fetch the artifact. Upon its arrival, Sirius revealed a vial, within it a memory strand from Harry, and deposited its contents into the Pensieve.
"Take a look," Sirius urged them. "This will give you a glimpse into the 'wonderful' time Harry spent in the muggle world because of the decisions you made. Harry's ready to have these memories presented at the Wizengamot trial. Should this escalate to a public revelation, he's keen on ensuring you face the consequences of your actions."
The trio, filled with a sense of dread, touched the memories within the Pensieve. When they finally pulled away, the impact was immediately apparent. Lily was sobbing uncontrollably.
With a grave tone, Sirius continued, "Remember the final moment in those memories. Harry has a message for you—he said that the son you knew died that night. He also made it clear he'll never forgive you. If you keep bothering him, he's ready to expose everything and push for your prosecution, just to be free from your nuisance."
Sirius carefully retrieved the memory strand from the Pensieve, securing it once more, before preparing to leave the room. Pausing at the doorway, he offered a final piece of advice, "The choice of what to do next is yours, but be certain of one thing—Harry will never see you as family again. Pressuring him will only push him towards seeking retribution. Arcturus has been teaching him, both in matters of law and magic."
With those words hanging in the air, Sirius exited, leaving behind a heavy silence, punctuated only by Lily's continued sobs. Harry was not going to leave them alone though. Sirius was privy to Harry's plans for quiet revenge, aimed at gradually dismantling the reputations of the three in that room. Dumbledore was the principal target; Harry harbored a deep desire to see him kicked out from Hogwarts.
Lily, amidst her tears, voiced the fear that had taken root, "He'll never forgive us, will he, James?"
James, with a heavy heart, responded, "I wouldn't, if I were in his shoes. We should leave Harry be for now. Pushing him might only lead to our downfall, risking Charles's future and our own. Perhaps, in time, we might find a way to mend things."
Dumbledore, laden with regret, added, "I deeply apologize for my oversight. I failed to ensure Harry's well-being with Petunia. I'll attempt to reach out to Harry."
However, his words fell on deaf ears. Lily and James, overwhelmed by the weight of their realizations, silently departed Dumbledore's office, making their way back to the reality awaiting them at home.
Chapter 69: Chapter 69: "Countdown to Hogwarts"
When Sirius got back that day and shared the day's events, Harry remained unphased. He was simply relieved that from this the Potters might give him some peace, sparing him from a future of constant pleas for forgiveness. Yet, he was slightly concerned about Dumbledore possibly trying to interfere. But Harry figured that Dumbledore, with all his responsibilities, wouldn't have much time to spare for him. After all, in Dumbledore's grand schemes, Harry wasn't the chosen one or a key player.
The news of his emancipation, however, did not unfold without its share of drama. Somehow, the Daily Prophet got wind of it and went on a spree of wild speculation about "the missing Potter boy," weaving all sorts of conspiracy theories. This media frenzy lasted about a week, but since neither Harry's group nor the Potters added fuel to the fire, and the wider wizarding community didn't show much ongoing interest, the commotion eventually died down. Harry was confident that this episode would soon be forgotten by most.
With the dust settling from his emancipation drama, Harry turned his focus towards his training, particularly with his new wand. With his departure for Hogwarts on the horizon, he aimed to arm himself with as much preparation as possible. Given the dangers that seemed to lurk around every corner at Hogwarts—dangers that Harry from the books narrowly escaped time and again—Harry set himself a goal: to be capable of defending against or evading an adult wizard.
He saw this as a realistic target, one that could potentially safeguard him from the unforeseen troubles awaiting at Hogwarts. Harry was gearing up to face whatever challenges Hogwarts might throw his way.
Before his journey to Hogwarts began, there was one significant event on the horizon: Susan Bones's birthday celebration. At Harry's suggestion, Sirius and Amelia organized a lavish party for Susan's ninth birthday. It wasn't a particularly special age, but Harry viewed it as an excellent opportunity for socializing and making new acquaintances.
The party was held at the Bones Manor, and Arcturus, as anticipated, did not attend. Susan, the birthday girl, was overjoyed. Harry had pitched in with the party planning, ensuring an array of magical activities that delighted the young guests. Among the highlights was a bouncy castle, conjured with a flick of magic and some assistance from Sirius, which proved to be an instant hit.
Additionally, there was a special play area teeming with miniature transfigured dragons, resembling playful pet dogs more than fearsome beasts. The kids were thrilled, although constant adult supervision was required to prevent any mishaps from the dragons' lifelike fire breaths.
The party also featured various other attractions that inadvertently set a new standard for children's parties, much to the other parents' dismay. Faced with the prospect of having to match the spectacle for their own children's celebrations, many parents sought Sirius's advice on how to replicate the day's magic.
Harry watched with a smile as Susan made friends effortlessly at her birthday party. True to the nature that would later see her sorted into Hufflepuff, Susan engaged joyfully with everyone, quickly becoming popular among the kids.
Throughout the party, Harry found himself mingling with a variety of guests, many of whom were curious about his backstory. However, Harry skillfully navigated these conversations away from his past, and the guests took the hint not to pry further.
Among the first people Harry encountered were the Longbottom family. Augusta Longbottom wasn't there, but Harry had engaging conversations with Frank and Alice Longbottom and their son, Neville. The Longbottoms expressed their gratitude to Harry, who modestly brushed it off, suggesting that by supporting his emancipation, they had already repaid any favor. As they spoke, Harry couldn't help but notice the occasional tremors that plagued Frank and Alice, a lingering effect of the Cruciatus Curse they had endured. He felt a surge of sympathy for their plight and mentally committed to finding a way to alleviate their suffering in the future.
However, Harry couldn't help but notice that Neville seemed much like his character from the stories—timid and inclined to stay close to his parents rather than mix with other children his age. Harry understood that the traumatic events Neville's parents had suffered were likely having a lasting impact on him, further complicated by the absence of psychological support systems in the wizarding world. While Harry held a fond affection for Neville, he recognized that bolstering Neville's courage would be a gradual process. It seemed that only once Neville was at Hogwarts, away from his parents' protective embrace, could Harry begin to assist him in developing the bravery that defined Neville in the later books.
At the party, Harry also met the other Black sister, Andromeda Tonks (née Black), and her husband Edward "Ted" Tonks. Their daughter, Nymphadora Tonks, who was busy with her OWLs at Hogwarts, wasn't there to join in the fun.
Up until this party, Harry hadn't crossed paths with Andromeda and Ted, mainly because Arcturus held some reservations about Andromeda. His disapproval didn't stem from her marriage to a Muggle-born, Ted, but rather how she handled her personal matters back in the day.
Andromeda was supposed to marry someone from another old wizarding family, a setup she wasn't fond of at all. Instead of seeking a diplomatic solution, she chose to follow her heart and married Ted in haste, causing a bit of a stir within the Black family and the broader wizarding society. Arcturus believed Andromeda's rash decision slightly tarnished the Black family's reputation. He felt that if she had just come to him with her problems, he could've helped her navigate through them. But because she didn't, Arcturus kept his distance. However, he did make an exception for Sirius to maintain contact with her, especially since her daughter, Nymphadora, showed the rare Black family trait of being a Metamorphmagus.
Arcturus was still on the fence about officially welcoming Andromeda and her family back into the Black fold, leaving the final call to Sirius, who was set to take over as the next Lord Black.
Despite these intricate family ties, Harry found himself warmly received by Andromeda and Ted. Their close relationship with Sirius encouraged Harry to engage with them more deeply. Andromeda, though primarily focused on her family, worked part-time as a healer—a role Harry admired. Ted, meanwhile, ran his own business, often liaising with the Muggle world, showcasing his adaptability and expertise in navigating both realms. Harry was impressed by their skills and looked forward to learning from their experiences.
Thanks to the considerable efforts of Sirius and Amelia, many people had come to the party and among them, Harry recognized many familiar characters in the Harry Potter books.
Some known names were the Greengrass family, with their daughters Daphne and Astoria. Close by was Susan's good friend, Hannah Abbott, accompanied by her parents. Lavender Brown also made an appearance, her bubbly personality and her parents in tow, adding to the lively atmosphere of the gathering. Though there were numerous other children whose names Harry couldn't immediately recall from the books, their presence added to the festive atmosphere.
A particularly notable encounter for Harry was with Cedric Diggory and his parents. Given that Cedric was destined to be in the same Hogwarts year as Harry, they spent a good deal of time chatting during the party. Cedric lived up to his literary description—a quintessential Hufflepuff with an approachable aura and a touch of shyness that Harry found endearing. Harry was quick to befriend him, though he humorously noted Cedric's father, Amos's, tendency to boast about his son's achievements. A gentle reminder from Sirius about Harry's own academic success was enough to temper Amos's enthusiasm.
At the birthday bash, there was a noticeable absence of those aligned with the Dark faction and those firmly in Dumbledore's camp, which meant the Weasley family, known supporters of Dumbledore, weren't in attendance. This detail didn't escape Harry's notice, especially since he wouldn't get the chance to meet Fred and George Weasley, the notorious twins, before starting Hogwarts together. Aware of their reputation for mischief, Harry mentally prepared himself to steer clear of their infamous pranks.
As the party wound down with the setting sun, it was evident that the children were having too much fun to think about leaving. Susan, in particular, had a blast, making numerous new friends and eagerly planning future get-togethers. Sirius and Amelia looked on with pride, delighted by Susan's newfound popularity. They felt reassured knowing she would have a strong circle of friends when it came time for Hogwarts, easing any concerns they might have had about her adjustment to school life.
Reflecting on the day's events, Harry felt content with the new acquaintances he'd made. Encouraged by Sirius, he even promised Cedric Diggory to join him for a game of Quidditch. Though sharing this interest, Harry doubted they'd be on the same team since he suspected that Hufflepuff wasn't in his future at Hogwarts.
With each passing day, the anticipation for the Hogwarts Express grew. Harry felt a mix of excitement and readiness, keenly aware of the adventures and challenges that awaited him at Hogwarts.
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