Chapter 56
Tom was trying again to get the damn ritual organised. It had been over a week since Harry said Father Death told him to hurry up and blood adopt the boy. He just still couldn’t get it right! Between the incantations and the runes and the ritual circles and… He sighed heavily, frustrated.
‘What’s got your Kneazle in a knot?’ Sirius asked as he breezed into Tom’s study unannounced, after not stepping foot in the manor for nearly two months. He dropped unceremoniously into a chair and swung a leg over the arm, watching Tom with raised eyebrows.
‘Hello to you too, Lord Black. Welcome back to my home. It has been a while. How are you?’ Tom asked pointedly.
Sirius waved a hand. ‘Blah blah blah. I know Severus already told you what happened. Also said you told him not to be embarrassed about having the hots for me, which absolutely mortified him. He’s pretty cute when his cheeks are on fire, so thanks for that!’ Sirius grinned, but his eyes were rather sharp, assessing.
Tom was unrepentant. ‘As Severus’ Lord, I was concerned at his behaviour. A follower of mine was… taken control of, in order to kidnap Harry some time ago. When Severus arrived after being with the Order, and he was speaking and behaving strangely, I looked into his mind. Turns out it was indeed his feelings about you that were causing him some… instability.’ Tom looked hard at Sirius. ‘I would give you a threatening speech, but as you have already made a formal offer of courtship, I believe your intentions to be sound.’
Sirius held his eye for a long moment, then relaxed. ‘Ditto. Not the courtship, but the reason for invading Severus’ mind. I had some strong words for you about that, but I think I’ll hold onto them for now.’
Tom nodded, and when Sirius said nothing else, he turned back to the notes spread before him. ‘If there’s nothing else…’ Tom prompted.
Sirius leaned forward, trying to look at Tom’s desk. ‘What are you working on?’
Tom fought the urge to hide his work. It was a little embarrassing that he was the Dark Lord, and he couldn’t even work out how to modify an adoption ritual. But this was Harry’s godfather – he couldn’t block him out. ‘The blood adoption ritual.’
Sirius looked up in surprise. ‘You haven’t done it yet? I thought I would have missed it while I was away. Why haven’t you done it yet?’
Tom tried not to growl. ‘I can’t work out how exactly to do it.’ He said after a long pause.
Sirius gave him a strange look, then stood to look at his notes. ‘Oh, I see. Yeah, this is all irrelevant.’
Tom looked up at him sharply.
Sirius gave him an apologetic smile. ‘I can see why you got confused – blood adoptions usually happen with babies, and that is more complex because the baby cannot support its own magic or part in the ritual, and because they cannot agree or participate. Smart thinking, trying to incorporate marriage elements – but as I said, unnecessary. Harry is old enough to be involved in the ritual.’
‘I know, that’s why I can’t work out how to do it!’ Tom ground out, teeth clenched.
‘Because you’re looking at it all wrong. It’s not a complex ritual if he can participate. All you need to do is present yourselves before Lady Magic and ask her to bless your new family.’
Tom blinked. Was it really so simple? He looked up at Sirius, leaning over the desk.
Sirius grinned. ‘As embarrassing as this must be for you, I’m glad you took so long. Means I can be here for it. Can we do it now? Let’s do it now!’ Sirius skipped from the room, calling Harry’s name loudly as he went.
Tom sat frozen for a moment before he scrambled to his feet and rushed after Sirius.
**
‘Your handwriting is getting pretty good, Harry,’ praised Carrick. ‘Almost better than Barty’s!’
‘Shut up!’ yelped Barty from his sprawled spot on the couch. ‘My handwriting is fine!’
‘Oh sure, if you were only able to hold a quill with your toes. Do you use your toes to write, Barty?’ Carrick asked lightly. Barty scowled, but it quickly turned into a smile as he saw Harry huffing with breathy giggles at the teasing.
‘Monkey!’ signed Harry, grinning.
‘You’re a monkey, you cheeky brat.’ grumbled Barty, still smiling so Harry would know he wasn’t serious. ‘Been spending too much time around Carrick. He’s king of the monkeys!’
Carrick gasped in exaggerated outrage, and tossed a cushion at Barty, knocking the book from his hands.
‘Oi!’ cried Barty. ‘I lost my page!’
Harry was making a strange little chuffing sound as he laughed almost silently, grinning widely. He turned to face the door a few seconds before Sirius came into view, his smile brightening even further. ‘Paddy! You came back!’ he signed as he ran for Sirius.
‘Course I did, pup! I missed you!’
‘Missed you too’, Harry signed, snuggling into Sirius’ arms. ‘Your glow is bigger. You do some new magic?’
Sirius blinked. ‘Oh,’ he said, sheepish as he realised. ‘I er, I took up my Lordship. And er… I maybe exercised my authority a little the other day. I could feel the power stretching at my core. You can see it, huh?’
Harry nodded, eyes roaming as he took is Sirius’ new look – visible only to Harry, of course.
‘Exercised your power, eh?’ Barty said with a grin. ‘Bet Severus enjoyed that!’
Sirius gave him the finger behind Harry’s back. ‘Not like that. I kicked the Order out of my house.’
Harry sat back as they all looked at Sirius with interest.
‘A story for another time. More important right now – adoption day!’
Harry’s eyes widened and he began to wiggle in Sirius’ arms. ‘Today? Dad be my real dad with blood?’
‘Yes, Harry – we can do the ritual now, if you are ready?’ Tom said from the door.
Harry wiggled free from Sirius’ grip and bolted to Tom. ‘Please please please please please!’ he signed frantically, bouncing on his toes.
Tom laid a gentle hand on his head, and Harry surged forward to wrap his little arms tight around Tom’s legs. ‘I’ve sent some messages off – let’s give it a few minutes for everyone to arrive.’