Toil and Trouble Chapter 2 : "You're going home, Harry" (A Harry Potter fanfiction)
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January 8, 1989. 12 Grimauld Place
Being back at 12 Grimauld Place felt strange. He'd left this place at seventeen, the moment Fleamont and Euphemia Potter said they would take him in. The opportunity to leave this pit of misery and hatred, and live with his best friend. The greatest gift he could have asked for.
The years he spent with the Potters were some of the happiest in his life. He'd felt as though, after a lifetime of wallowing in quicksand all his life, he was suddenly able to breathe. To add to his joy, he could see Remus anytime he wanted. To James's delight, this provided for excellent teasing material. If only James knew just how much Sirius had cherished every moment of that teasing.
Unfortunately, those joyful years didn't last long. The war and the events that ended it tore Sirius’s life apart.
And now here he was all these years later, the Master of 12 Grimmauld Place. Black House.
"BLOOD TRAITOR!! FILTHY BLOOD TRAITOR!! GET OUT! YOU'RE NO SON OF MINE!"
His mother's shrieks crashed over his as soon as he walked in through the door. He tried to shake off the chills it gave him. The old bitch hadn't lost her touch. Her eyes still looked as though they could kill.
"The portrait!", exclaimed Andromeda right beside him. "For a second I thought it was really her! Do you think we can can cover it with a sheet or a curtain?" She asked, knowing that a silencing charm would not work.
"If the bint can't see us, she won't wail.", Sirius said as they stepped into one of the living rooms, every bit as filthy as the rest of the house. "I wonder if that nasty creature still works here."
He then raised his voice, sharp as a whip, "KREACHER!"
With a barely audible crack, an old house elf appeared. Old would be an understatement. Kreacher was positively ancient. Folds of skin on his ears and neck, his eyes bloodshot, his expression a mixture of fear and contempt as he regarded Sirius and Andromeda. He muttered something under his breathe about blood traitors, before he spoke.
“Yes, Master Sirius?”
“Cover Walburga's portrait. ” Sirius said, pointing towards the shrieking frame. “Now. I don’t want to see or hear her, nor have her see me and start wailing like a banshee."
The house elf grew even paler.
“But Mistress Walburga..." He began, his voice contained something close to outrage.
“I don’t care about your Mistress Walburga. Cover her,” Sirius snapped, the word cutting sharper than he intended. He felt the anger bubbling up, his mind going back to all that he had endured in this very house. His mother's nonstop yelling wasn't helping matters.
He felt Andromeda slip her hand into his, in a bid to calm him. The gesture was appreciated.
With a flurry of tattered cloth, Kreacher obeyed, still muttering under his breath as he draped an old curtain over the portrait. Sirius watched, his shoulders sagging slightly as if the act itself relieved a fraction of the weight pressing down on him. For once, he could breathe in this house without the ever-watchful, ever-judgemental eyes of Walburga Black glaring into his soul.
The house was still decayed, still dark. The smell of damp and something metallic in the air. That oppressive energy Sirius had known in his childhood seemed to have intensified. But for the first time in years, he felt a flicker of something else. Control. Not just over the house, but over his own life.
As Kreacher went off to cook dinner, Andromeda had her cousin stand in front of her as she cast a diagnostic charm. A glowing chart of letters and runes shimmered in the air.
"You're malnourished, anemic and calcium deficient.", she said briskly. "But nothing too alarming, all things considered."
She opened her Healers case and took out a few vials of potions. She handed them to him with instructions on when to take each one.
"And make sure you eat properly. Regular, nutritious meals." She told him.
Sirius smiled, seeing his cousin in healer mode.
"You always were bossy. Being a healer suits you." He told her with that twinkle in his eyes that she'd missed so much.
"So, what do you plan to do now that you're a free man?"
"Tomorrow, I'm going into Muggle London and I'm bringing Harry home. I'm his Godfather, he should be here with me. Not living with that insufferable bint and her husband."
"Sirius, I think you need to wait a few months. As of now, you're not fit to take care of a little boy."
"What are you..."
"I say this with love, dear cousin, but you look awful. Azkaban couldn't break your mind, but I hasn't left you physically undamaged. You look gaunt, sickly, your eyes are half sunken. The horrors you've endured are written all over your face. If Harry saw you right now, he'd be terrified. So give yourself six months to recover."
"Andi, you don't think six months is a boy much?" Sirius asked.
"No it isn't", Andromeda replied, "Because it isn't just your body that needs to heal, but your mind as well. You haven't gone insane but it's impossible that you have no lingering trauma from being exposed to Dementors for so long."
Sirius seemed to consider this. But then said, "I feel fine, though."
Andromeda was reminded of a teenage boy who would say, "the sky looks fine, though", when told that he cannot ride his broom in the midst of a thunderstorm.
She took a deep breath and said, "Sirius, I specialise in dark curses and damage done by dark creatures. Trust me when I tell you that Dementors leave scars you don't always see. We don't know what kind of damage has been done to your mind and soul. Symptoms sometimes take weeks or even months to manifest."
Sirius sat back in the dusty chaise.
"Seven years, Andi. For seven years I was locked in that cell. Harry was what kept me going. Any time I felt I might break, I told myself that someday I'd see Harry. And that I needed to be strong for him."
"Then be strong for him." Andromeda said placing a warm hand over his. "Give yourself the time to heal, so that when Harry does meet his Godfather, he finds him whole."
Sirius nodded solemnly.
"Besides, Sirius," Andromeda said casting a vary glance at their surroundings, "it isn't just you who needs healing. It's this house as well. Look at this place."
Sirius did.
He let out a humourless laugh and said, "yeah... the decay's visible now ain't it?"
"This place isn't safe for a child. All this dust, grime and mold... not to mention all the dark artifacts."
Sirius recalled all that had been done in this house. Acts of pure hatred. Of course it all lingered still.
"This house needs cleaning, and cleansing." Andromeda said as she got up to leave.
"I suppose you're right. OK.... I'll spend the next six months fixing this house. And myself."
"You can start by coming to Saint Mungo’s tomorrow for a thorough check up." She told him in that warm yet authoritative tone as she gathered her vials and closed her
"Will do. Wouldn't you stay for dinner, Andi?"
Andromeda gave him an apologetic look.
"Not tonight Sirius. Ted probably went home to get dinner ready. Plus it's the weekend and Dora is visiting. So.... maybe some other time."
"Ah! Nymphadora! How's she? She'd be about fifteen now, yes?"
"Yes, she'll turn sixteen in March." Andromeda smiled, "she's attending Hogwarts."
"Really? Which House?"
"Hufflepuff"
At this Sirius barked out a laugh of pure amusement.
"Yes, it was a shock to us as well." Andromeda said laughing along. "Ted always thought that girl was meant for Gryffindore."
She then asked gently, "why didn't you speak to Remus?"
Sirius’s face closed like a slammed door. He turned away.
"We wouldn't have known Pettigrew was alive if it wasn't for him.", she went on, resting a hand on his shoulder, "And he testified for you. Sirius you don't know how distressed he was when he realized you were innocent. He still loves you. I don't think he ever stopped..."
"Andi, don't. Please..." Sirius said, in a voice whose sternness failed to disguise his pain.
"He isn't the only one who believed the lie, you know. If he's wronged you, then so have I."
"I expected more from the man I love." Sirius spat, tears beginning to form in his eyes.
Andromeda decided not to press. She reminded him to come to Saint Mungo’s for a check up, to which he responded with a nod. After telling him once again to eat and take his potions on time, she took her leave.
Sirius sat alone amidst the ruins of his house and his heart.
January 11, 1989. 12 Grimauld Place
Every minute felt like an hour as Remus waited for Sirius to come home. He knew his Padfoot was angry, as he had every right to be. After his trial, as they exited the courthouse and gathered in the corridor, Sirius had exchanged hugs with both Andromeda and Ted. Both of them apologising and begging his forgiveness. Sirius had told them not to worry about it. Remus stood at a distance, watching. Waiting for Padfoot to look at him.
Ted had decided to go home while Andromeda told Sirius she would accompany him to 12 Grimauld Place, just to make sure he was all right. Sirius hadn't faught his cousin on that.
Only Andromeda had looked at Remus, her eyes full of compassion, as she and Sirius walked out.
Remus decided Sirius needed some time to himself before they could talk. So against every instinct, he'd waited three days.
When he'd arrives at the Black House about an hour ago, the old house elf had told him that Sirius was out. Curt and surly as ever. Kreacher had never liked Remus, or any of the Marauders for that matter. So it wasn't surprising that no refreshments were offered as he waited.
Remus didn't mind. If anything, Kreacher’s disdain felt strangely comforting. At least that hadn't changed.
At long last, the fireplace glowed green and Sirius Black stepped out. He looked better than he had at the Wizengamot. He was clean shaven, his hair washed. That black suit and open neck shirt really brought out his roguish good looks. Azkaban couldn't strip Sirius of his effortless panache.
Remus rose to his feet. Sirius noticed him.
His eyes radiated that same coldness that they had in the courtroom. Only now they held pain as well.
"Why are you here?" Sirius asked in a clipped tone.
"I came to see how you were doing.", he replied, stepping closer.
"Well you've seen me now, haven't you?" Sirius replied. His smile was almost cruel. "The bastard who would betray his best friends is alive. Shocking, isn't it?"
"Sirius please... you must understand..." Remus spoke, his voice already shaking.
"Understand what? That you thought I did it? That when they told you Padfoot gave James and Lily to Voldemort, you believed it?"
"Sirius I'm sorry..." Remus tried to take his face in his hands, to make him look into his eyes. Sirius pushed him away.
"I WILL NOT HEAR IT!" Sirius cried, tears staining his handsome face. "I saw the way you looked at me. You were disgusted!"
"Padfoot I..."
"You were the one person who was never supposed to doubt me. The one who'd always believe in me... Well why didn't you? Why did you believe something so despicable?"
"Because of what you did to Snape!" Remus spat out, leaving both Sirius and himself stunned.
"Sirius.... you were going to use my condition to harm him. You knew what state I would be in. And you would have got Snape mauled by me, if James hadn't stepped in. I thought.... I thought if you could do that..."
Sirius looked as though Remus had struck him. His lips parted, but no sound came. The memory of that night twisting into a blade inside him.
"Remus I apologised for that. Again and again. And you forgave me. Did you really think that just because I did something stupid as a kid I would..."
"I was wrong Sirius. So very wrong. I understand if you don't want to be with me. But please... please believe me when I tell you I'm sorry."
Sirius trembled. Rage, grief, love.... all battled inside him.
"Sirius, if you want me to leave I'll...."
Remus didn't get to finish the sentence. Sirius pulled him into a hungry, passionate kiss. Soon their arms were around each other. The kiss, searing and merciless, conveyed all the longing they had endured. Their mouths only broke apart when it became impossible to breathe.
Their foreheads touching, their breathing ragged, as their tears merged. Both men clung to each other as if they feared that the horrors of the past would tear them apart again.
Though scarred by years of agony, their hearts still beat for each other.
"....Padfoot..."
"....Moony...."
January 12, 1989. The morning after.
Warmth was something Sirius hadn't felt in seven long years. He'd almost forgotten what it was like. In Azkaban, he could feel the cold in his bones. He could curl into a ball, cover himself with that flimsy excuse for a blanket they gave him. It did no good. Turning into his animagus form was only a temporary solution. That thick black fur provided near adequate protection. However, maintaining his animagus form only became more taxing as time went by. The food he was being given was just enough to keep him alive. Sirius was getting weaker, and staying in his animagus form for long stretches would deplete his magic.
So, he bore it.
After returning to Grimauld Place, one of the comforts he'd enthusiastically indulged in, apart from a hot, elf cooked meal, was the luxury of a warm blanket at night. Top of the line, charmed to stay warm for hours.
But no charmed blanket could possibly compare to Moony's arms.
Sirius had been awake for a few minutes and hadn't taken his eyes off Remus's beautiful face. They'd made love all night, until sheer exhaustion had driven them to slumber. They fell asleep in each other's arms, blissful and content. All things that neither of them had dared hope for.
Sirius had had dinner with Andromeda and Ted the previous night. He wandered if Remus had eaten, and decided to wake him up for breakfast.
Remus let out a happy grunt as Sirius kissed his bare chest. He opened his eyes to see his lover now looking down at him. His gaze a combination of desire and mischief, that never failed to make Remus's heart flutter. Sirius had him boxed in between his arms.
"Time to wake up!" His lips found Remus's in a passionate kiss.
"Last night...." Remus began as he stretched.
"Left me drained. I need to eat. You do too", Sirius said, before calling for Kreacher.
The old elf appeared. His ever present scowl further deepened at the sight of Remus in Sirius's bed.
"Breakfast, Kreacher", Sirius said with a snap of his fingers, "full English".
"Yes, Master Sirius", said Kreacher in a way that made it clear that he detested doing so.
"He's dedicated to his hate, I'll give him that." Remus said with a laugh.
They sat across from each other at the breakfast table. Kreacher had served them and then made himself scarce.
"So, what's next", Remus asked, as he cut into a perfectly done sausage.
"Well..." Sirius paused to take a sip of his tea, "my original plan was to go get Harry, bring him here. But Andi convinced me I needed to get healthy and get this house in order. She thinks I should wait about six months."
"That's excellent advice." Remus said, then after a pause added, "Harry's safe, you know. I've been watching him."
"You have?", Sirius asked, his expression open.
"Yes. About four months after James and Lily’s deaths, I went to the Dursleys to see him. I told them I was friends with Harry's parents, but they wouldn't let me see him. Threatened to call the coppers if I didn't leave immediately."
"Those bloody..." Sirius all but growled.
"Sirius, I don't really blame them. The condition I was in..... dishevelled, tattered clothes... I wouldn't have wanted Harry near me if I was them."
To this Sirius only grunted.
"But I did watch over him from a distance. He's healthy, looks properly fed and clothed. He was attending primary school until last year. For some reason they pulled him out."
"Why would they do that?" Sirius asked, brow furrowed.
"Don't know. But if I had to guess, I'd say it had something to do with a burst of accidental magic."
"Does he look happy, Moony?"
Remus looked pensive.
"He looks healthy, Sirius. Not happy. And from what I can tell he's really shy and has no friends. He has this look in his eyes, as if he has a thousand questions but no one to ask."
Sirius ran his hands through his hair.
"Remember James talking about what a piece of work that Petunia was? That husband of hers too. Lily always looked so exhausted whenever she came back from seeing them."
"Yes. I remember." Remus replied. "I also remember Lily saying her sister wasn't a bad person. Just hurt and angry."
"Well that was our Lily, wasn't she? Always seeing the good in everyone." Sirius’s smile held both sadness and affection. Then the smile vanished. "You don't think they're cruel to him."
"I doubt it. He doesn't seem afraid of Vernan and Petunia. Just withdrawn and closed off."
Remus took Sirius’s hand.
"It's only a matter of six months now, Padfoot. And for the time being, Harry is safe where he is."
"Yeah... your right." Sirius said, playing his hand over Moony's "What about you? What are your plans?"
Remus shrugged.
"I'll just do what I've been doing. I live mostly in the Muggle world now. No one there knows me, so it's easy to go unnoticed. I do odd jobs here and there."
"You'll just leave me then?" Sirius asked, indignant.
"Padfoot no! I'll come to see you every week. But I have to work..."
"So work for me!"
"For you?"
"Yes!", Sirius now held Remus's hand even tighter, "You can help me manage my family’s assets. There's these lands, investment... you know how that stuff bores me. You can keep track of everything for me."
"You mean as your Estate Manager?"
"Initially yes. As soon as I can, I'll make you the Managing Trustee. Make it official. Plus I've also been thinking of investing in Muggle businesses. You can take care of those too."
"Sirius, are you sure? You know how every month I..."
"Moony, we'll figure it out!", Sirius said, his impatience almost childlike. "Come on, stay with me."
Remus shifted.
"Sirius, this is a huge responsibility. I've never done anything like this before. Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes, absolutely. You're smart, responsible and you understand magical law and the Muggle world better than me. You'd be perfect." Sirius added with a smirk, "Think about it. You'll get to boss me around as much as you like."
As this, Remus laughed and said, "well that is rather appealing. All right. I'll be your Estate Manager.... or Managing Trustee. Whatever you want."
The radiance in Sirius's smile made him look eighteen again.
July 30, 1989. (Just outside of) Muggle London
Sirius stretched his long legs across the sofa, the smell of coffee and toast filling the kitchen of the Muggle house he'd bought just a few months earlier. Electricity hummed softly through the modern appliances — a Muggle-made wonder that still amazed him.
The house was rather luxurious. Five bedrooms, six bathrooms, large kitchen, dining area, conservatory, a lovely garden and a large backyard. And just beyond the backyard, was the faint shimmer of a Dimensional Fold as it pulsed gently. Invisible to Muggle eyes, yet somehow perceptible to birds and animals, it was in the midst of a cluster of hedges.
It's location was convenient, as it allowed Remus and Sirius to travel to and from the two worlds any time they wanted, without drawing attention from Muggles.
In fact, Sirius had paid a pretty penny for this house specifically due to its proximity to a Fold. Not that the realtor knew that. She just couldn't turn down the amount Sirius offered.
He and Remus had spent the past six months cleansing Grimauld Place and making sure Sirius was physically and emotionally sound. Regular visits to Saint Mungo’s had ensured that he bore no scars from his time in Azkaban.
Apart from that, Remus had been managing the Black family estate and finding up and coming Muggle businesses for Sirius to invest in.
"A small start-up making video games, gadgets etc", Remus told Sirius, "Based in Soho. They’re developing an NES adventure — fantasy, puzzles, logic-based challenges. Your kind of whimsical investment."
"I love it already." Sirius grinned.
Remus handed him a floppy disk. “Here’s a demo for you to try. It had things like magic, spell casting etc. At least the Muggle idea of it. I think you'll like it."
Sirius popped it into a small computer Remus had set up. Pixelated trees and a tiny character appeared on the screen. He leaned in, eyes shining. “Look at that. Miniature spells, mysterious forests… I approve.”
"The start-up needs capital to produce cartridges and ship to retailers." Remus said, sitting beside Sirius and putting an arm over his shoulder, "You’d provide the investment, and I’d handle contracts, royalties, taxes etc.
“Exactly,” Sirius said, leaning back and pulling Remus on top of him. “I get the fun bits. You do the boring paperwork. Everyone’s happy.”
"Are you ready for tomorrow? To see Harry?", Remus asked, caressing his cheek.
Sirius nodded, a gentle smile on his lips.
"As ready as I've ever been."
Harry Potter was a peculiar child. Or so he'd been told. Ever since he could remember, he had felt different. He never quite knew what to say, or how to react to things.
For instance, the first time he spoke to a snake. He'd been about six when a garden snake just slithered up to him. He said hi, the snake asked how he was doing, and they just started talking as if they were mates.
Harry found that he got along with snakes way better than he did with people. Snakes didn't make fun of him, or scold him or ask why he was strange. They just spoke to him.
Then one day, their neighbour Mrs Pickering saw Harry laughing as he shared a joke with a snake in the hedges. She turned pale, and must have told Aunt Petunia about it. Because later that day, Aunt Petunia had scolded Harry and asked him why he needed to "advertise his weirdness".
That's how Harry had realised that talking to snakes wasn't acceptable.
He'd already learned only he was the weird one, not Dudley. Dudley could demand that Uncle Vernan buy him the latest NES, even though he already had a Sega Master System. He could get angry about not getting more action figures, even though he had scores of them. He could refuse to eat his broccoli, and Aunt would immediately make something else for him. He could be mean to the kids at school and Aunt and Uncle would still defend him.
And no one ever called Dudley weird.
Harry wasn't mean. If he ever did hurt anyone he always said sorry. He never demanded anything either.
And yet, Harry was labeled weird.
Especially after that incident at school, in second year.
A boy, Thomas Leeves had shoved him on the playground. He'd done this sort of thing before and Harry had let it slide. But this time, the shove got on his nerves.
Harry was angry. So angry that he actually pushed back. Only, it didn't go the way he'd intended.
Thomas was blown back several paces. His mates too.
Harry remembered the way they all looked at him. Terrified. And he'd instantly felt bad.
Thomas and the other boys' parents had complained to the principal. Harry had expected to get in trouble with his aunt and uncle, but to his surprise, they weren't angry. They looked frightened.
That night, he sat beside his bedroom door and could hear his aunt and uncle talking.
"I should have known", he heard Aunt Petunia say, "Something like this was bound to happen."
The next morning, they told him he wouldn't be going to school any more. And that they'll hire a private tutor for him.
Harry's tutor, Ms Ainsworth was always nice to him and he actually enjoyed the lessons. She also didn't call him weird when he talked about something snakes had told him. She just smiled sweetly and told him he had an active imagination. She said that it was a good thing.
Harry realised that she thought he was making up stories. He didn't correct her. What if she started treating him like everyone else?
Harry often found himself wishing he was someone else. Especially when he saw the way Aunt and Uncle doting on Dudley.
On Christmas Day, two years ago, Aunt, Uncle and Dudley were posing in front of the drawing room fireplace to have their picture taken. They were all dressed up in their new clothes, even Harry. He happily jogged over and stood next to Dudley.
Dudley didn't seem to mind, but Aunt Petunia told him to step aside as this was going to be a family portrait.
That was the day Harry realised that he wasn't family. And that he wasn't allowed to be sad about it, as Aunt later told him not to sulk.
He wondered, if his parents were around, would they take a picture with him? He liked to think they would.
He had always been told that his parents had died in a car crash. One day he asked his aunt if he had any other family members. She looked annoyed at this and told him she didn't know.
Harry knew better than to ask Uncle Vernan, as his uncle barely even noticed his presence.
Was it possible that he had other family? And they didn't like him either because he was strange? But if that was the case, why hadn't he ever met them?
These thoughts were sad, but Harry couldn't tell anyone about them. He could only wish that he wasn't so strange.
July 31, 1989. Number Four, Privet Drive
"Happy birthday, Harry." Aunt Petunia said to Harry as he sat down at the breakfast table next to Dudley and his uncle Vernan.
Neither of them wished him a happy birthday. Uncle Vernan was busy reading the newspaper, and Dudley was playing with his new Gameboy.
His aunt had said the words as she made breakfast, without really looking at him.
Just like every year, he would be given a present later on. It would he something nice, maybe a new toy or new clothes. And there would be cake.
Of course, Dudley would get presents too. And a cake with candles as well.
Aunt and Uncle always made sure to make Dudley feel special. That's why on his birthday they always had parties with balloons, decorations and lots of people. And he got loads of presents. Aunt and Uncle would also hug Dudley till he got annoyed with them. They would tell him how special he was and how much they loved him.
Harry, on the other hand, would make do with a cake and a present.
Soon after breakfast, Aunt Petunia brought out the two cakes. She said it was best to just get it over with.
"Happy birthday, cousin!" Dudley said to him cheerfully, having cut his cake.
"Thanks", Harry said with a small smile.
After giving Dudley his presents, Petunia gave Harry his. This year it was a set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures.
"Thanks, Aunt Petunia!", said Harry beaming at her.
For a second, he thought she looked sad. But then she gave him a tight smile, patted him on the shoulder and told him to go play.
It was around five thirty in the evening, soon after Uncle Vernan got home from work, when a black Aston Martin pulled up into the driveway.
Harry watched from an upstairs window as two men stepped out. They were both tall. One of them had black hair that went down to his shoulders, the other had short light brown hair. The man with the black hair rang the doorbell.
A few minutes later, Harry heard what sounded like an agreement. His aunt was shouting. He stepped out of his room, just as Dudley stepped out of his.
"You know what's going on?", Dudley asked.
Harry just shrugged. And Dudley went back to his video games.
He then heard his Aunt say, "Fine!", before she came upstairs and saw him standing there.
"Come downstairs.", she said with her usual sternness, "there are people here to see you."
He hurried downstairs to see who these people were who'd come to see him. He was never allowed to interact with guests.
Sirius and Remus watched as the little boy came down the stairs. He was a mirror image of James, but had Lily’s green eyes. He looked shy, almost fragile.
Sirius’s voice seemed caught in his throat. Remus stepped forward though.
"Harry... how're you doing?", he said with a warm smile, "I'm Remus Lupin. This is Sirius Black. We were both friends with your parents."
Harry blinked, then politely greeted them, "Hello Mr Lupin. Mr Black."
Sirius finally found the ability to speak and stepped forward. "Happy birthday Harry!", he said handing him a huge box covered in wrapping paper. The boy stared at it in awe. It was rather heavy too.
"Thank you. Umm... you didn't have to..." He said tentatively.
"Course we had to!", Sirius said with a broad smile, "it's not every day a lad turns nine."
He then took Harry's hand and said to him, "Harry, I'm your Godfather. Do you know what that means?"
Harry shook his head.
"It means your parents chose me to take care of you, if anything were to happen to them. It means you are supposed to live with me, in my home."
Before Harry could respond to this revelation, Petunia’s voice pierced the air.
"Hold it right there! How do we know you are who you say you are? Do you really expect me to let two strange men take my nephew away?"
Sirius turned around, clearly annoyed.
"That contract you signed with the Ministry. It'll tell you the truth."
Petunia hesitated, before walking briskly to the Master bedroom. She came back with a roll of old parchment.
Sirius asked her to unroll it. When she did, he placed a hand on it.
To Harry's surprise, the parchment began to glow.
Petunia gasped, Vernan stepped back.
"Do you see that? The words 'Legal Guardian' turning into the name 'Sirius Black'. Only my touch could have done this. I believe Dumbledore must have explained all this to you." The slight pull of his lips indicated that he was enjoying Petunia’s shock.
"It's.... its glowing. How?" Harry asked, awed.
"Why it's magic, of course!" Remus told him with a smile.
This set Petunia off.
"There will be no talk of magic in this house. Your magic took my sister from me. Your magic got Lily blown up!" She shrieked, tears now glistening in her eyes.
"Blown up? My mum? Aunt, you said it was a car crash!" Harry sounded indignant.
Sirius pinned Petunia with a hard stare. His voice a dangerous growl.
"You told him it was a car crash. You haven't told him anything about who he is, have you?"
"No, I did not." Petunia shot back, not in the least intimidated. "I swore I wouldn't let you strange world finds it's way back into my family ever again. Harry has a home. He is fed, taken care of and protected. He need not know anything else."
"Listen to the way you talk about him!", Sirius exclaimed, "Fed and taken care of. You think that's all the kid needs?"
Vernan now leapt from his chair.
"Now wait just a second." He roared, "I won't have some poof disrespect my wife in my home!"
Sirius now looked murderous.
Harry looked distressed.
Remus gently touched the boy's shoulder and spoke calmly.
"Listen to me very carefully, Harry. You are a wizard. You have magical blood in your veins."
"A wizard? But that's....", Harry was at a loss.
"Harry, think about it." Sirius now got on one knee and spoke to him, "have you ever done anything extraordinary? Something you couldn't explain?"
Harry was silent but his face said it all.
"That was your magic.", said Remus, "Your mum was a very capable witch, and your father a powerful wizard. They gave their lives protecting you. And Harry, now it's time for you to come with us to our world. To the world where you truly belong."
"Stop it! That's quite enough!", yelled Petunia, now red faced. She roughly pulled Harry away from Sirius and Remus. "He has heard enough. My nephew won't be going anywhere with you."
"Let me remind you Petunia that that contract is magically binding." Sirius rose to his feet again. "You cannot keep Harry from his legal guardian. Not without consequences."
Petunia turned pale. Vernan looked ready to defend her honour once again.
"You'd take this child by force, then?"
Remus stepped between her and Sirius.
"No, Mrs Dursley." He spoke in a measured tone. "Let's leave it to Harry to decide. Let us take him to our world for an hour or so. If he likes it there, he'll come with us. If not, he'll stay here with you. But even then you'd have to let his Godfather see him regularly."
Petunia exchanged a look with Vernan, before both of them stepped into the kitchen.
"Your world?" Harry asked, bewildered.
"Yes Harry", said Sirius. "The world where wizards and witches live. Where magic is real."
"The world where you were born.", Remus added. "You want to see it?"
Harry nodded, not sure how excited he was allowed to be.
A few minutes later, the Dursleys came out of the kitchen.
"Very well." Petunia said in a business-like tone, "seeing how we can't stop you, it's best to leave it to the boy. You may take him to see your world. But regardless of what he decides, do bring him back here before eight. Don't just keep him there without informing us."
"Of course not, Mrs Dursley", said Remus kindly, "even if Harry decides to stay with us, Sirius and I will bring him back so you can say goodbye properly."
Vernan looked at Remus, then at Sirius.
"Are you two benders?" He asked with a look of distaste.
"Why yes, we are together. Not that it's any of your business.", Remus's tone was calm, yet firm.
"Come on, Harry" said Sirius. "Bring your present with you."
Just as they were about to exit, they heard Dudley's voice. He stood at the staircase, frowning.
"Harry?", he looked at his mother, "Mum where's Harry going?"
Petunia was silent. Vernan replied to his son, "He's going put for a while."
Sirius led Harry to his Aston Martin. Remus opened the back door for him.
"Get in lad!", said Sirius, voice booming with excitement, "time for you to see where you came from."
A flurry of emotions appeared on Petunia’s face as she watched the car drive away.