New Beginnings (2.0)
The light from the lamp posts went out and came back on while Dumbledore toyed with his deluminator. A gadget to remove or place light in a certain spot. It remained a favorite on the man’s shelf of magical devices.
He looked up at the stars, he could see a few constellations. He sighed, his breath turning to steam in the crisp air of the passing autumn.
“Albus?” a voice called behind him. He turned to face Minerva McGonagall, her face pale and twisted in worry.
“Are you sure you wish to place the boy with these people? I’ve been watching them all day, they’re not the best muggles...”
she pulled her coat over herself again, attempting to capture the warmth that the night air was taking from her. “they’re his only living relatives, Minerva, we have no choice.” Dumbledore spoke, his gaze still locked onto the stars. the clear night sky reflecting on his glasses.
“But what about Remus? Surely, he’ll be able to take care of the boy?”
Dumbledore shook his head, his gaze landing on Minerva. “The minister will never allow us to put Harry in Remus’s care. And what about full moons? He’ll put Harry in danger. Besides the recovery-”
Dumbledore was cut off by Minerva’s insisting voice. “Sirius then?”
Dumbledore didn’t speak, only looking at Minerva, considering the pros and cons of the option. “Minerv-”
Dumbledore was again cut off by Hagrid’s arrival.
Hagrid landed nearby, he had taken Sirius Black’s motorcycle and had been sent to pick up Harry from the wreckage of his parent’s home.
“Got the boy, poor fella’ fell asleep on the drive ‘ere.” Hagrid walked over, holding a bundle on blankets in his hands.
Minerva looked back at Dumbledore. “Last chance, we still have time Albus...” Dumbledore put his hand up to quiet McGonagall.
“it’s final.” He said, looking at the bundle of blankets in Hagrid’s arms. “Bring the boy here.” Hagrid did so, handing the baby over to Dumbledore.
Moving the blankets, he aimed to look at the child, only to find a letter.
His eyes widened and he looked over at Hagrid. “where’s Harry?” Hagrid’s eyebrows formed a line.
“What do you mean?” he looked at the bundle of blankets in Dumbledore’s arms “no...” Hagrid’s hand went to his mouth.
Minerva, now curious and worried, she investigated the headmaster’s arms, not soon after letting out a gasp.
“I swear ‘e was in ‘ere… I’m so sorry Albus... I didn’t… no...” Hagrid couldn’t form proper words, obviously not expecting this.
Dumbledore, collecting most of his thoughts, opened the letter that was placed into the bundle of warm blankets. He started to read:
Dear Albus Dumbledore,
It is with disappointment that we take Harry from you in such drastic measures.
As much as I wish it could have been different, it is only right that I return Harry to his guardians. In case you forgot. Harry was supposed to go to my brother and his spouse.
Not his aunt and uncle. Lilly would have most definitely stated that in her will. Same with James.
I would also like to tell you that if you wish for Harry back, you can’t have him, he’s in my brother’s custody, and, I’d like to tell you that I kept records of Lilly and James’s potters wills and statements, and I have given them to the ministry and Gringotts. So, legally, my brother has custody. You should expect Harry to attend Hogwarts. If he can’t, you should know we’ll be teaching him anyways. We are hiding in a place you no longer have access to. Anyways. It is now I draw this letter to a close. Don’t come looking for us. You’ll only make it harder for yourself.
Yours truly,
The Black brother’s
Dumbledore was, for once in his live, speechless.
”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“”“
Ever since then, the ministry he been in scrambles and the order even more panicked. Both the order and the ministry tripping over their feet trying to find the hidden place the Blacks are hiding harry in. The ministry is even more confused as they had thought and declared Regulus Black dead in 1979. Not to mention they thought Sirius was in the order, he was supposed to be helping them! They had searched Grimmauld place and was working on other Black-owned homes. What they hadn’t yet searched was the Potter estates, but of course, the records of such estates just so happened to disappear the very night of Lilly and James Potter's deaths.
Sirius sat on the couch, a sleeping Remus next to him. It had been a month since they 'permanently borrowed' Harry from Hagrid.
Regulus was playing with a baby harry on the ground, the soft sound of Harry making the animal sounds for the stuffed animals.
Regulus holding a stuffed raven and Harry a stuffed stag.
after a few minutes of playing, Harry pushed the stuffed stag into Regulus’ hands and crawled over to the couch. He sat down in front of Sirius’ legs and (using Sirius’ pants) pulled himself up to climb into Sirius’ lap.
Sirius smiled and played with Harry’s hands that gripped and pulled at his hair and fingers.
Regulus eyed the two. “Unfair.”
Sirius smirked at that, staring down at his little brother.
“Upset because Harry chose me?” His smirked widened when Regulus crossed his arms.
“Guess I’m, the favorite now.”
“What? No, I’m the obviously favorite, he plays with me more.”
“So? He comes to play with me after.”
“Well, he cries when you tell him stories, he falls asleep when I read him stories.”
“that’s because they’re boring.”
“No, they aren’t! it’s clear I’m the favorite, there’s no doubt about it.”
Then another voice joined in.
“I’m the favorite.”
What they hadn’t noticed was that all while they argued, Harry had climbed to Remus and had snuggled up into his arms.
The two brothers paused, and looked at Remus, who had a tired and shit eating grin on his face.