The Aftermath
The weeks that followed the fateful Halloween night of 1991 were some of the busiest and most tumultuous in Sirius Black's life. The magical world had erupted in jubilation at the news of Voldemort's demise, and spontaneous celebrations had broken out even before the night was over. Diagon Alley, the heart of magical Britain, was soon filled with cheering crowds, festive music, bright pennants, and flower petals fluttering in the breeze. The air buzzed with a collective sigh of relief and hope for a future free from the Dark Lord's tyranny.
The news that the savior of the wizarding world was just a child spread quickly, and when it became known that Sirius Black had been named guardian of the Boy-Who-Lived, he found himself besieged by mobs of reporters brandishing dictaquills and flashing cameras. They took every opportunity to bombard him with questions about the miraculous child. Sirius steadfastly refused to answer, each encounter taxing the last ounces of his diminishing patience. It wasn’t until three months later, when a particularly persistent young reporter was found near Potter Manor with several broken limbs and no memory of the past 48 hours, that they finally got the message to back off.
The issue with Dumbledore was another matter entirely. When the headmaster learned that Harry had survived, he immediately suggested that the child be hidden away from the magical world to protect him from any retribution by Death Eaters still at large. This suggestion incensed Sirius beyond measure. Forgetting all decorum, he lunged at Dumbledore, and it took the combined efforts of the Minister, Barty Crouch Sr., and Cassie to hold him back. Once he recollected himself, Sirius made it crystal clear to Dumbledore that if he so much as approached Harry, he would wish he hadn’t survived his duel with Grindelwald.
With Dumbledore momentarily out of the picture, Sirius and Cassie turned their attention to more immediate concerns. They needed to prepare for James’s funeral and catalog the salvaged items from the wreckage of Godric's Hollow. The sight of the destroyed cottage, where so many memories had been made, was almost too much to bear. Still, they soldiered on, collecting what they could. Sirius and Cassie set aside several items of sentimental value, such as various photographs and James’s old snitch, and deposited the rest in the Gringotts trust vault that had been set up in Harry's name. Sirius would have preferred the more secure Potter vault, but the goblins informed him that it had magically sealed itself until the new Lord Potter’s fifteenth birthday.
James’s funeral was a quiet and solemn affair, attended only by a select few of his closest friends and family. In addition to the Blacks, the Notts, the Greengrasses, and a few others were present. The service was filled with heartfelt eulogies and shared memories of James's bravery, humor, and unwavering loyalty. As the ceremony drew to a close, the weight of his absence settled heavily on those gathered.
In the days following the funeral, Sirius and Cassie turned their focus to Harry. They were determined to ensure that he would never suffer the neglect and abuse that might have awaited him had he been left with the Dursleys. Sirius, understanding the importance of legalities and blood protection, decided to proceed with a blood adoption ceremony. This ancient and powerful ritual would bind Harry to him not just in guardianship, but as his true son in every way that mattered.
The blood adoption ceremony was held in the privacy of Potter Manor, attended only by those who understood the gravity of the event. Cassie held Harry gently in her arms as Sirius performed the incantations, their wands emitting a soft, golden light that enveloped them all. Harry’s appearance didn’t change much, given his young age, but the magic woven into the ritual solidified the bond. From that day forward, Harry was known as Hadrian James Regulus Potter-Black. His name would carry weight and significance, a blend of his birth heritage and his adoptive family.
Over the next several months, Sirius and Cassie worked tirelessly to create a safe and nurturing environment for Harry. They shielded him from the prying eyes of the public and the political machinations of the magical world. Sirius, though often known for his rebellious streak and wild nature, proved to be a doting and protective father. He found joy in the simplest moments with Harry, from watching him take his first steps to hearing his first words.