The Boy Who Disappeared

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June 94

Regulus was sitting next to Remus. The wolf had finally put Hadrian down to go back to playing with the other kids. However, he had not taken his eyes off of the boy.

"I am glad that you finally found us, Remus," Regulus said to start up a conversation.

"I wasn't looking for you Regulus. I thought both of you were dead. You disappeared and the next day Dumbledore and Lily showed up at the house. Sirius and I were there visiting because we hadn't heard from you, and we were worried. Dumbledore convinced James that you were a true traitor, that at some point you had started believing in Voldemort and had betrayed us. That you died on a mission for Voldemort. Sirius and I didn't believe him at all. We were trying to tell James that you would never. But he wasn’t listening to anyone except for Dumbledore. Lily brought us tea and I know she drugged us. Because suddenly we were agreeing with everything that horrible man said about you." Remus said and finally looked away from Hadrian to look Regulus in the eyes.

"I know that Dumbledore did some horrible things, Remus. I don't blame you or my brother," Regulus assured him. Remus smiled gratefully.

"So then, Dumbledore suggests that James marry Lily right then so that his baby wouldn't be associated with a Death Eater. That his marriage to you wasn’t legal in the eyes of Wixen anyway because you were married by a muggle. That they could come up with a story about Lily and James marrying in secret and hiding the pregnancy to keep the baby safe,” Remus seemed to get more and more distressed the longer he talked. Regulus reached over and linked their hands together.

“James agreed because he has always had a scary blind faith in Dumbledore. Sirius and I only agreed because of the potion. I swear Regulus. I would never have agreed with it otherwise. They were horrible parents, Reggie. Lily barely paid Harry….I mean Hadrian, much better name by the way, any attention; she just wanted the status of being a Potter. James was just neglectful. Sirius and I tried our best to care for Hadrian even while potioned." Remus told him. Regulus could see him begging him to understand.

"I tried to get custody of Hadrian. I went to Dumbledore and begged him to let me have him. That I would raise him and love him. Dumbledore refused. He wouldn't even let me see him. I even tried to petition the courts many times, I am his uncle and his godfather, he should have come to me first. But I was refused every time because of what I am,” Remus continued to tell Regulus everything. It was as if he needed someone to talk to about all of this.

“Then the next day suddenly I found myself in a forest and my mind was clear. I realized what had been happening. I tried to go to the ministry about Sirius being innocent and never getting a trial but once again I was refused. I tried again to offer memory proof of the lengths Dumbledore and Lily had gone to. Dumbledore and Fudge have been cutting me down at every turn," the wolf looked heart broken. Regulus gripped his hand tighter.

"That was Severus. He created a potion that would clear yours and Sirius' minds of whatever potions and compulsions that you were both under. But our plans went sideways when Voldemort attacked the house. We couldn't get to Sirius before he was imprisoned but we did get to you. We left you a note so that you would know to come looking for us. I thought that was why you were here," Regulus informed the wolf. Remus shook his head.

"I was out of my mind when I first came awake. I remember that I just walked and walked for hours after waking up. I must have just missed the note. I am here because last year I finally decided to leave Britain and search for all things related to werewolves or legends like the one that this tribe has of shapeshifters not controlled by the moon,” Remus explained to him and then frowned.

“Last year, I finally tracked down where Dumbledore had left Hadrian. I went to see him and Petunia was all too happy to inform me that he had died. I reported it to the ministry and the papers so that they would be forced to listen. The story was checked out and deemed fact. They even found a body. Dumbledore faced a lot of shit for it. He lost his place in the ICW and as the supreme mugwump of the Wizengamot. He is still the Headmaster though." Remus informed them. Regulus smiled.

"Good. That was exactly what I hoped would happen. There were a lot of deaths that night. Severus and I found an infant about Hadrian's age that had died that night and buried them in the backyard of the Dursleys and implanted the memories in their minds of the death. So now they won't come looking for him. I don't know what Dumbledore's angle was or why he manipulated so many people, but Hadrian will never be a part of his games," Regulus said with glee.

"Regulus?" Remus asked.

"What is it, Mooney?" Regulus replied.

"C can I stay here? Be part of Hadrian's life? A part of yours? You are my brother-in-law still even if your brother is still locked away," Remus asked cautiously. Regulus smiled.

"Of course, you are going to stay. That was always our plan Mooney. You may not have gotten the note, but we wanted you to find us so that we could be a family here, where no one would bother us. And if you want Quileute legends Billy is the best person to ask. They have bonfires out here sometimes when they have tribe meetings. When they do that, they tell old tribe legends. Hadrian and I have been to a few of them, and I think Severus has come with us once," Regulus informed Remus.

"Thank you, Reggie. Are you sure Severus won't mind if I stay with you guys?" Remus asked. They both turned when Hadrian laughed.

"Of course, my Papa won't mind. You are family, Uncle Mooney and your post to do anything for family," Hadrian told him as if it was just utterly silly to think otherwise.

"That is absolutely right, Hadrian. I am glad you reminded me," Then Hadrian ran off to play with Jacob and Bella. Remus turned a smirk on Regulus. He tapped the ring on his finger.

"I see that you finally realized what I did when we were still back in school. Severus is better for you than James ever could have been. You and Hadrian both look so happy and healthy." Remus told him with a smile. Regulus blushed and waved him off.

"The three of us have been very happy. I am so happy that you are finally here."

The two of them continued to watch the children all play. Charlie, Billy, and Harry Clearwater came over to introduce themselves to Remus. They all enjoyed the rest of the day and ate good food. Billy promised to invite Remus as well to the next tribal meeting to hear the stories.

"Hey, Daddy?" Hadrian asked and tugged on his shirt. Regulus looked down to see Hadrian, Bella, and Jacob all looking up at him. He smiled and looked up to where Charlie and Billy were standing and gave him a nod.

"Can Jake and Bells come and spend the night at our house instead?" Hadrian asked and smiled so sweetly. Regulus made a huge show of thinking about it and laughed when the three kids started to squirm and make noises.

"Oh, all right fine. They can spend the night." As the kids were squealing in happiness Billy went into the house and packed a quick bag of clothes for Jacob.

"I will go and pack a bag for Bella and drop it be the house later," Charlie told him as Billy put the backpack on Jacob.

"All right sounds good, they are welcome to stay for as long as they need to tomorrow. I know you have to work tomorrow Charlie, so Bella is welcome to stay until you get off. The same goes for Jake. We will be home or at the park, like always. Tell your parents bye and then load up." Regulus made sure to give Remus instructions just in case he got lost. Remus promised to follow closely. Then they loaded up and headed out of the reservation.

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Severus closed up shop later that evening and grabbed the potions that he had gotten from Kira for Remus. Reg had sent him a message earlier with Kreacher to let him know that Remus had finally come, and that Hadrian's best friends were over. So, Severus knew to apparate outside of the ward line and come home like a normal person would so that they didn't give anything away with the kids.

He had also picked up a few things that Regulus had said Remus needed like fresh toiletries. Severus was glad that Remus had finally come. Regulus had been really worried about Remus and the fact that their letters to the ministry about Sirius had been ignored.

"Papa!!!!!" He heard as soon as he got home and braced for the small body that always barreled into him. He caught Hadrian around the waist and pulled him into a tight hug.

"I heard we got a special visitor today. Someone that we have been waiting for," Severus asked his excited little boy. Hadrian nodded enthusiastically.

"Uncle Mooney is finally here Papa. He was so silly. He didn't think you would let him stay with us, but I told him that was silly because you always say family is more important than anything in the whole world. Isn't that right Papa? And Uncle Mooney is family. Right, Papa?" Severus smiled and kissed Hadrian on the forehead.

"I am so glad that Uncle Mooney is finally here, Hades. Of course, it was silly. Family is the most important and Uncle Mooney is family and is welcome to stay here as long as he wants to. You were very good to remind them, Hadrian. Now, I heard Isabella and Jacob are here to stay with you, so why don't you go play with your friends until dinner? It smells like Kreacher is making something really good," Severus sat Hadrian on the ground.

"That's not Kreacher. Uncle Mooney is cooking tonight. He says he knows his way round a kitchen. Daddy says Kreacher will be jealous," Hadrian beamed up at his Papa. Severus smiled. He remembered when Remus and Sirius would invite him over to their home with Reggie. Remus had always cooked great meals.

"I am sure it will be amazing. Your Uncle Mooney was always a great cook. Now, run along and play. We will call you down when it is ready," Severus watched as Hadrian took off back upstairs. He always greeted Severus when he came home from work. No matter what was going on, Hadrian always made sure to be waiting for him. Severus loved it. He walked into the kitchen where Remus was cooking, and Regulus was sitting at the counter telling him stories about Hadrian growing up. He kissed his husband and handed him a backpack.

"I met Charlie pulling into the drive when I got here. He says he was just dropping this off for Bella," Severus said and sat beside him. "Hello, Remus. It is good to see you. I am sorry that you didn't get my note. I should have done something different so that it didn't get lost. Hadrian was seeking reassurance that you are welcome here so let me extend that to you. You are absolutely welcome in our home for as long as you need or want. We will help you settle into life in town and help you get a place of your own if you want. You are indeed family," Severus addressed the Werewolf currently cooking their dinner.

"Thank you, Severus. I appreciate it so much. I will only stay as long as I need to in order to get a place of my own. I don't want to be anywhere near Hadrian during a full moon. So, I have a month to find something," Remus responded. Severus and Regulus grinned. Severus set two vials on the counter.

"This will make that a non-issue," Severus said and slid the vials toward him.

"Is that wolfsbane? It looks different," Remus asked picking up one of the vials and looking at it.

"Nope, I opened an Apothecary in the Seattle magical district. I took on a brilliant apprentice looking to get her masters. She has a sister who used to suffer from Lycanthropy," Remus sputtered and looked up at Severus shocked.

"Used to?" He said afraid to hope. Regulus nodded.

"Yes, used to. She created this wonderful little potion here that severs a lycanthrope's tie to the moon and makes the wolf and the man one. You will have complete control over your phasing and will always be in complete control of your mind and body. It has already been tested on six wolves. It has worked for all of them. This has been sitting in my office waiting for you to find your way to us. You take one on this next full moon and then you take the second one the full moon after that and it will be like having an Animagus form." Severus was a little surprised when Remus came around the counter and embraced them both while crying.

Remus had been suffering from this since he was a child. He had only known the pain of transformations almost his entire life. This would change everything for him. Severus and his apprentice, whoever she was, had saved his life. Made it worth truly living. He could fully enjoy his life here in America with his family. Now if he only had Sirius back, life would be perfect. As if he had read his mind Regulus pulled back and looked up at him.

"I am going to MACUSA about Sirius. I have sent many letters to the ministry about him, and I have been ignored every time. They have falsely and unjustly imprisoned a Lord of an Ancient and Noble house. I am going to go to the papers. I am going to do whatever I can to get him released and then we are going to have our family complete finally," Regulus told them both. They had to go to MACUSA anyway so that Remus could get his citizenship and sign all of the same papers that they had to keep them safe from Britain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A week later, Remus had already been to MACUSA and was officially a citizen of America and they had spoken to a barrister about Sirius. The man was putting together a very large case against the British Minister and Dumbledore for what was happening.

They had given him proof about the mind control, that Peter had been the Secret Keeper, and that there was no way that Sirius could have betrayed them. That there had never been a trial and that a simple interrogation with truth serum would prove his innocence.

They were going to the British Ministry in one week to have it all addressed and hopefully have Sirius home before Hadrian started his first year of school in September.

"So Remus, if there was one thing that you could do with your life for a job, what would it be?" Regulus asked as they watched Hadrian playing at the park with Bella and a few other kids.

Hadrian spent all of the time that he could with Bella this summer. Her parents had gotten divorced earlier in the year and her mom had moved to Florida, taking Bella with her. So, Bella would only be around during the Summers now. Hadrian had cried for a week after she had left.

They had been together practically every day. Sometimes Jake would join them but mostly it was Hadrian and Bella. They were practically living at each other's houses this summer. Hadrian was going to be devastated when Summer ended, and Bella had to leave again.

"Well, I had thought about teaching. I wanted to try and get a degree in the muggle world to teach English or Language Arts, maybe even history. I was pretty much through with the Wizarding world. I also wouldn't mind owning a bookstore or a coffee shop. Something simple and muggle," Remus replied. Regulus grinned.

"So do it. I am sure that MACUSA could help you get the credentials that you need. Or we could help you open that bookstore/coffee shop, and you could do it the old-fashioned way and take the classes online. I heard some of the older teens in town talking about the online thing. Severus and I would help with whatever you need. Also, you are married to my brother it was a very official ceremony. You are entitled to his vaults, and he would never mind. You know he would actually insist that you use it. Sirius had very little regard for money and loved to spoil you." Regulus offered.

"You know, Reggie? I think I will do that. Open up a small place in town and earn a degree in teaching the regular way. I think I might like to teach high school. This is where we plan on spending the rest of our lives isn't it?" Remus asked.

"Well, at least for a while. You know we can use aging potions for a while to make it look like we are aging appropriately, but eventually we may have to move into a magical community but that is decades away. Evan longer for Hadrian. We are only in our twenties we have a long time before we have to worry about anything like that," Regulus added. They could live very long happy lives in this town for decades before it became obvious that they were aging differently. Especially, with Severus being a potion master and able to brew the potions they would need to look the age they were supposed to be.

"Yeah that's true. So, I know you and Severus, what is the plan for Hadrian's education?" Remus asked curiously.

"He is going to go to muggle school and get a muggle education. But he is going to have tutors that will come to see him once or twice a month to administer tests to make sure he is on the right track. Then he will go to the ministry at the end of each year, or a ministry official will come to him to administer his end of the year exam to make sure he is where he should be. So he will get both a muggle and a magical education at the same time," Regulus told him.

"So you have already talk to each other and MACUSA about it." Remus grinned. Regulus lightly smacked his arm.

"Of course, we have. Severus will teach him potions and possibly defense. I will teach him charms and astronomy. We will find qualified tutors for the rest," Regulus informed him.

"I would like to help." Remus offered. "I was pretty decent at Transfiguration. I could teach him that, or even History." He just wanted to help. Hadrian was his nephew and godson. He wanted to help raise him up to be the wonderful boy that they knew he would be.

"We figured that you would. We have time to figure out exactly who is going to teach him what subjects. I have honestly been studying up on everything so that I can assist him with all of his work even when the tutors are not available," Regulus said with a smirk. He didn't work and probably wouldn't be working in the future so he would have the most time to be available to help Hadrian.

"Uncle Mooney, Bells and I want you to push us on the swings at the same time. You push us so high. Pleeeeeeeease Uncle Mooney," Hadrian called from the playground. Remus grinned and stood up to do exactly what they asked.

"Goodness, that boy isn't going to know the meaning of the word no. Now there are three of us to spoil him rotten," Regulus said with a laugh as Remus started pushing Hadrian and Bella on the swings.

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Two weeks later, Severus and the lawyer that they had hired to get Sirius a trial, were standing in a ministry office with the Minister of Magic and the Head of the DMLE. The barrister, Mr. Penn, was quite extraordinary. He had countered every excuse that the Minister tried to come up with.

The Minister had even tried to go so far as to throw Severus in prison for being a Death Eater. But Mr. Penn had handed over paperwork proof that Severus had already been thoroughly interrogated by MACUSA under veritaserum, and proven that he was spying for the side of the light and that he had also been the one to supply MACUSA with the Horcrux that ensured that Voldemort could never return.

"So you see, Minister, Severus here should be commended and labeled as a war hero not threatened with prison because you do not like being told that you have made a mistake," Mr. Penn wrecked them.

"Now see here," Fudge started only to be cut off.

"Mr. Fudge, if you do not take this very seriously then I am afraid that I will have to take this internationally. You have falsely and unjustly imprisoned a Lord of an Ancient and Noble House. I am sure that it would cause quite an uproar with the other Lords and those from other countries as well. I have the paperwork ready to send out,” Mr. Penn stated. Fudge started to sputter a response, but the barrister cut him off and continued talking.

“Or you can comply and have Lord Sirius Black brought here in the next hour and questioned under truth serum in front of the lovely Ms. Bones. He doesn't need a trial he is innocent. I also have full statements and proof of this misdeed ready to be sent to the press in two hours if I do not return to stop them," Mr. Penn informed the Minister.

They had made sure that everything was foolproof. Sirius had been in prison for too long with nothing being done about it. They had proof that multiple people had tried many times to petition for his release or trial and none had been heeded. This was a career-ending situation for the minister if it wasn't handled properly. Honestly, even if it was handled properly it could still prevent him from being re-elected.

"All right, All right, I will have him brought here. Mrs. Bones will go herself to escort him here," Fudge finally gave in.

"If any harm should come to him before she arrives or in transit this story will be sent directly to the press. You will end up in prison. Do you understand what I am saying to you, Fudge? There are other people outside of this room who know exactly what is going on in this room today as well as the American magical government. This will end you, Fudge. So I suggest that you ensure his safe arrival. Accidents will be treated as intent," Mr. Penn threatened.

"Ms. Bones will take a team of Aurors with explicit instructions that his safety is priority one. I swear he will arrive safely," Minister Fudge stated. He was sweating like a pig. Severus loved it. With release papers in hand, Ms. Bones left to retrieve Sirius from Azkaban.

"Why is Mr. Snape here with you? What importance does Lord Black have to him?" Fudge asked. He was still fishing for anything that he could get to keep this from being a thing that reflected badly on him.

"Severus is here because it is suspected that Sirius, while innocent, was also under severe compulsion and potions at the time of his arrest and imprisonment. Severus has created a potion that will cleanse him and is here to do the diagnostics to prove his theory as well as administer his cleansing potion. We have reason to believe that a great many wizards in positions of power, even yourself, have been subjected to these same compulsions and potions. I would highly recommend going to St. Mungos or the Goblins and having them check you. It could explain some of your less-than-competent decisions, such as Sirius Black's imprisonment," Mr. Penn suggested.

Severus watched as the thought crossed Fudge's mind. What if he could prove that he had been messed with like that? Then he could blame the compulsions and potions for this whole mess and maintain that he is a good minister.

"And who do you suspect is responsible for this horrible thing?" Fudge asked. Mr. Penn smirked. Hook, Line, Sinker.

"Albus Dumbledore. We have proof," Mr. Penn offered and then handed the paperwork over to the minister.

The minister looked gleeful that someone finally had dirt on Albus Dumbledore. That man had been a thorn in his side. Always getting in the way of passing bills or just always acting like he knew better than everyone else. Then the Harry Potter issue had been a huge mark against the man and his reputation.

This might actually be the thing that would make him able to get rid of Albus completely. If more people, especially those in power had been tampered with by the man, then they could get him exiled maybe or even thrown in prison.

"Whose scans are these?" Fudge asked. The name had been erased at the top.

"Someone who wishes to remain anonymous. Their privacy will be respected," Mr. Penn answered. "I can, however, give you a list of people who were part of a secret Order working outside of the government under the direction of Albus Dumbledore. I can promise you that at least a few of them will have been under the same compulsions or potions," Mr. Penn pulled out the list and handed it over. Fudge looked even more eager to help now. They discussed all of the things that had been done by Dumbledore. Like coercing kids fresh out of school to do his bidding.

Suddenly, the floo flared up and Mrs. Bones stepped through with a very emaciated-looking Sirius Black. His hair was limp, oily, and ragged. His skin was so shrunken from lack of food that it just looked like it was pulled tight over a walking skeleton. His eyes were dull and lifeless. Severus was concerned with how badly this was going to upset his husband and son.

"Sirius Black, are you well enough to agree to taking truth serum?" Mr. Fudge asked. Sirius just stood there as if he hadn't heard anything. Severus walked up to him and gripped his chin and made him focus on him. Sirius sneered at him.

"Snivillus," The poor man tried to say hatefully, but his voice just sounded gravely and unused. Severus grinned.

"We are trying to prove your innocence, Black. Are you going to help us?" Severus asked. Sirius looked confused for a moment. "I can help you clear your mind first if you will agree to it. Right now, it feels like your mind is torn in two, doesn't it? You are remembering things two different ways and it is confusing you. I can take the confusion away. Will you let me?" Sirius thought about it for a long moment looking Severus in the eyes. He could see that one part wanted to trust him and the other saw him as an enemy. Finally, Sirius nodded his head. He would let him help. He wanted a clear head.

"Yes, please help me," Sirius finally stated in a voice that was raspy from disuse. Snape pulled his wand out and did a quick scan just to prove that the compulsions and potions were there and then he pulled out a vial and helped Sirius take it.

"We need to give it time to work. Until then let him take a bath, get some food, and straighten himself up. Give him this nutrient potion as well." He handed it to Ms. Bones. She nodded her head and left to do just that when the minister gave his agreement. Severus and Mr. Penn were served lunch and snacks with the Minister while they waited.

Two hours later, Ms. Bones walked in with Sirius. The man was clean with his hair trimmed, and pulled back. He had clean clothes on, and his eyes were not dull and lifeless at all. He was still far too skinny, but Severus had already been prepared to put him on a potion regimen that would have him healthy in a few months. Plus, being around Hadrian, Regulus, and Remus would do him a lot of good.

"I am ready to submit myself to the truth serum now," Sirius said when they had settled in chairs. "But I will only allow Severus to ask me the questions," Sirius added. This shocked the Minister and Ms. Bones, as far as they knew the two men did not like each other at all.

"I figure that if the questions came from him, you would be more inclined to believe me," Sirius replied to their unasked questions.

So, the serum was administered. The questions were asked, and Fudge was excited. Here was more, on record, proof that Dumbledore was not as 'light' as he pretended to be. Sirius could not have betrayed the Potters because he had not been the secret keeper like Dumbledore had told them. In fact, Dumbledore had been the one to do the spell to make Pettigrew the secret keeper.

Sirius had not murdered the muggles or Pettigrew. Peter had murdered the muggles and then had blown up a building as a distraction, cast an overpowered cheering charm at Sirius and then turned into his illegal Animagus form after cutting off his own finger and disappearing.

Sirius Black was innocent of all charges, and the ministry owed him for the five years he spent locked up with no trial. He was given his official papers that declared him innocent, was given his wand back, and then released from the ministry. Fudge had promised that it would be in every major paper across the magical community tomorrow so that everyone knew he had been cleared of all charges and was falsely imprisoned.

Severus got Sirius to come back with him to Grimmauld Place and spent the evening giving him potions, feeding him, and letting him know what was going on and that they were leaving for America in a week.

They were waiting that long so that he had some time to get a bit healthier so that he didn't look like death when he met his nephew for the first time. Severus showed him pictures and told him stories and even gave Sirius pictures that Hadrian and his two best friends had drawn for him.

Sirius had cried at all the time that had been lost with his brother, husband, and nephew. He thanked Severus for taking care of them all and getting them to safety. He was glad that his family had been far away from Dumbledore. He was also very grateful that the British wizarding world thought they were dead. It meant that no one would go looking for them. They were safe.

Sirius worked very hard to do everything that Severus told him to do. He ate what he was told to eat and took all of the potions he was given. By the time the week was up, he looked and felt so much better. He still had a long way to go but at least he would be presentable to meet his family again for the first time. He couldn't wait to go home.