Chapter 2
Dumbledore and Sullivan landed gracefully, and bent their knees to stay balanced. Sullivan shook his head to free himself from the nauseous feeling.
“I’ve always hated apparating,” he muttered as he looked around his surroundings.
They had landed on a dingy muggle street, dirty and with ordinary brick houses lining the road. A street sign proclaimed this as ‘Grimmauld Place’.
“Is that so?” Dumbledore said as he searched his robes.
“I use shadow travel,” Sullivan informed him.
“Shadow travel?” Dumbledore sounded curious, so Sullivan showed him.
Closing his eyes, he reached out, calling with his magic. The shadows surrounded him and he melted away, passing through the shadows and coming back into being a few metres away from where he had been.
He turned back to Dumbledore, who had finished rummaging in his robes and was now holding a piece of paper in limp fingers. He was watching Sullivan with twinkling eyes.
“Fascinating,” he murmured, “you must show me how you do that sometime!” Sullivan smirked, looking down, before raising his eyes to Dumbledore once more. “Come now, Sullivan,” Dumbledore beckoned to him. Sullivan walked back to him and took the paper that was extended to him.
Looking down, he saw in a looping script the words; ‘The headquarters of the Order of The Phoenix can be found at Number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London’. Looking up, Sullivan saw that two of the buildings lining the road were pushing to the sides to make space for a new building that faded into being at number twelve. “The Fidelius charm,” Sullivan breathed, “Intriguing.”
“Indeed,” Dumbledore said, amused. He moved forward, walking up to the door and rapping on it with his knuckles. Sullivan walked up beside him and heard the sounds of multiple bolts unlocking before the door swung open.
Standing in the doorway was a middle-aged man with long wavy black hair and twinkly grey eyes that just spelt mischief. “Ah, Albus!” he said, “Come in!” Stepping through the threshold, Dumbledore nodded at the man.
“Thank you, Sirius.” The man, Sirius, followed Dumbledore and Sullivan into the house. The entrance hall was dark and had a cloth-covered tapestry on one wall. They moved into a lounge room and settled into chairs while Sirius watched Sullivan curiously.
“So, Albus, who’s this?” he inquired. Sullivan looked at Dumbledore, unsure what to say and apprehensive of what Sirius would think of him if he knew he was the Dark Lord’s son. Dumbledore simply looked at him and gestured, go ahead.
Sullivan sighed before addressing Sirius. “Sullivan Riddle, at your service.” Sirius simply shook his hand, making no move to suggest that he knew he was the dark lord’s son. Perhaps Dumbledore had not told them about Voldemort’s original name?
“Sirius Black,” he returned. Black? Sullivan wondered, The mass murderer? Oh, whatever.
“Well!” Dumbledore exclaimed, “Sirius, Sullivan will stay here for the time being if that is alright with you?” at Sirius’ nod, he continued, “Very well them, excellent! I’ll leave you to get to know each other now.” and with that, he stood, and with a round of goodbyes, left the room.
“Well...” Sirius started, “How did you get roped into this, Sullivan?” Sullivan turned back to look at him.
“I needed to get out... my father is completely horrible. I couldn’t do it any longer. I contacted Dumbles, and… he brought me here.”
Sirius tilted his head. “Your father?” he asked. “Is he a Death Eater?” Sullivan laughed hollowly, deciding to come right out and say it, rather now than later.
“No,” Sullivan said bitterly, “He’s worse, much, much worse.” At Sirius’ enquiring look, he stood and bowed mockingly. “Sullivan Erbus Riddle, son of Tom Marvolo Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort, aka The Dark Lord, aka You-Know-Who, aka He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named at your service.”
Sirius gaped, wide-eyed, for a full minute before responding. “Well, I see what you mean by horrible,” then his eyes take on a mischievous look, “You-Know-Who’s name is Tom?!”
Sullivan snickered, relieved at the reasonable reaction. “I can sort of see why he changed his name now, can’t you?”
“Yes...” Sirius mused. “Well, let me tell you more about the workings of the Order...”