The Young Lord Called
Molly bustled around the kitchen, floating over a tray of tea and biscuits over to the scrubbed kitchen table, placing it in front of Sirius. She took the seat closest to him and waited. Sirius nodded his thanks as he prepared his tea silently. He took several sips and leaned back. “Molly, he’s got tattoos and his hair! It’s all kinds of colors and that-that-that thing! He called him DAD! Dad?! James was Harry's DAD!”
Molly placed a hand on Sirius’ arm in a placating manner, “I did try to warn you. His appearance leaves much to be desired. He’s from a respectable bloodline, for Merlin’s sake!”
“It’s not just that Molly-he’s my heir. First heir to the Black Family through Dorea. If not Harry, then Draco would be next. I can’t even name Nymphadora because Andy’s been blasted from the family!”
“You can’t reinstate Andromeda? Anyone would be better than Draco!”
“Couldn’t even if I wanted to! My mother made sure of that!”
Sirius sighed, running a hand down his face, and groaned. This was almost worse than Azkaban.
Molly watched the man for a moment, her mind running through the laws she knew. Logically, if Sirius spoke the truth about Harry being his heir, then he would have to use his Lordship to make Harry take up his proper mantle.
“Sirius,” she began slowly, keeping her voice even, “if Harry is your heir apparent, then you would be Lord Black correct?”
Sirius nodded, despite his stay in Azkaban, he was still a Lord of the most Ancient and Noble House of Black. Molly gently took his hand and guided him with the same tone she’d used to teach her children, easy and helpful. “As Lord Black you have sway over your heir, despite his less than welcoming living situation. You could teach him all the ways of a true pureblood, raise him properly and most of all, honor the contract James made for him.”
Sirius remained quiet for a moment-technically Molly had a point. As Lord Black he had a duty to uphold and that extended to his heirs. His own mother and father had stressed that point multiple times throughout his life. Then, James had had a son and he’d been named godfather. In turn, he’d named Harry as his heir, a gesture of goodwill to the Potter family. It gave young Harry status despite his halfblood heritage-it protected Lily as well. She wasn’t looked down upon due to her blood status. She was the equivalent of a half blooded wife now. Her son was technically a pure blood; sole heir to the Potter lineage and heir apparent to the most Ancient and Noble house of Black. By all means, he was heir Potter-Black.
Harry needed to be taught. If not, then what would happen to the Potter lineage? What about the Black? Sirius would rather commit himself to another twelve years in Azkaban than give the title to Draco of all people. He’d heard how much of a snob Lucius Malfoy’s son was.
A complete and utter tool.
Molly did make sense. Perhaps Harry needed a change of setting, maybe he needed humans around him. Not strange bunny men or white haired fairies. He needed a godfather. Plain and simple.
“I’ll need an audience with Madam Bones and the wizamgot. As soon as possible, Molly.”
Molly smiled and quickly summoned some parchment and a quill.
They had work to do.
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Madam Bones was a strict woman, upholding the laws and regulations of the Wizarding World since she’d come to work in the ministry at the tender age of eighteen. She’d made a name for herself and had seen much of the world turn in both good and bad. She’d lost comrades and good witches and wizards alike-the Potters, for example. They’d died in vain and far too soon.
James would have been a wonderful Auror and one day head of the department. Lily was a powerful charms mistress. Together, they would’ve been unstoppable. It was no surprise to her when Sirius Black flew into a rage and all but decimated his former friend-Peter Pettigrew. It’d taken two teams of Aurors to capture the man. She’d never seen anything like it before.
That had been years ago. Harry Potter had been with his muggle family for a number of years until one day he had also disappeared and then, he’d come back as Harry Bunnymund. Madam Bones could say that the boy looked well, even if he was a bit strange and she knew Lovegood. The boy was happy. So she allowed the strangeness. Her niece reported that Harry was always helping anyone with any number of things.
If her niece vouched for the boy, she could easily keep him out of her radar.
Then, strange things began to happen-first year alone was a terror to many children and then second year, and now, there was no Hogwarts. No one knew what would happen, not where the children would be, come the first of September. It was anyone's guess. Not even Voldemort had shown up or caused any ruckus. It was almost as if his Death Eaters had vanished into thin air.
If that wasn’t strange enough, Sirius Black had simply walked out of Azkaban. The guards had mysteriously fallen into a slumber and none of the other prisoners had left their cells. Not even Dumbledore.
Madam Bones couldn’t make horns nor tails of the dragon sized issue in her mind. To make matters worse, she’d received both a package and a formal letter this morning. She’d almost wished she went with her niece on that Carribean trip with her cousin. Perhaps, she could still catch a Portkey and leave this for someone else?
Madam Bones sighed, her conscience wouldn’t allow her to leave this to someone else. She turned to the package first, warily raising her wand and began to check for curses, jinxes and hexes.
None were found. Instead, her spells detected the rapid heartbeat of a terrified rat. Who in their right mind would send her a rat? Perhaps it was a prank of some kind?
Something in her seasoned Auror bones told her otherwise. This rat was no ordinary rat. She’d bet her entire fortune in Gringotts.
No one sent a rat without a reason, certainly not a bound rat at least. Carefully, she levitated the rat out of its charmed box, keeping him under his magickal bondage for now. The rat was old, nearly blonde and balding all over his body. Madam Bones lifted the creature to her eye level, there was something odd about its eyes.
He did not have the distinct eyes of a rat-beady and inky black, no, this particular rat had watery blue eyes.
‘’You’re an animagus, aren’t you?’’ she spoke directly, mouth twisting into a grimace.
Someone had gone through a lot of trouble to secure this unregistered animagus and Madam Bones would not allow such a gift to be all for not.
‘’Humano Revelio!’’
The rat barely had time to squeak in shock, it’s small body twisting and stretching out until Madam Bones had the very much alive Peter Pettigrew in her office. She quickly stood, keeping her wand trained on him-she would not let him leave. In a sharp tone, she called for her specialized team of Aurors, who entered the room almost immediately. Many of them would receive extra in their Christmas bonuses this year.
‘’Shacklebolt, arrest this man!’’
A tall, dark skinned man in deep purple robes stepped forward and wandlessly bound this man even further, before all but dragging him out of the room, with three Aurors following behind.
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Once they left, Madam Bones collapsed into her seat, arms dangling at her sides listlessly, head back with eyes wide. Anyone who would've seen her would have assumed her dead. She could not believe it-Peter Pettigrew had been alive? Alive in the form of a common rat? Her mind spun rapidly, what if Sirius Black had been telling the truth? What if it had been Peter and not Sirius that had blown up all those muggles? What if…what if…?
If Sirius Black had been thrown into Azkaban without a trial, then the other lords would certainly demand the head of the one responsible. That is, if Sirius Black ever came forward. She had no way to contact the young Lord to give him the news. Sirius Black was an innocent man, his sole crime was his escape from Azkaban. Although now that he was free, would Sirius Black even come forward?
“If I were Black. I’d stay in hiding,” Madam Bones spoke aloud, gathering strength in her body once more.
She almost wished she had a tumble of whiskey in her hand. Somehow the envelope seemed heavier just laying on her desk. She inhaled and grasped the envelope, almost dropping it in surprise. The feel of ancient magick curled around her hand, and Madam Bones knew that the envelope belonged to one of the Lords. There was no mistaking such a heavy feeling. It was a subconscious act on the Lords’ part, imbedding their magick into their letters. It was a sure fire way to sign their intentions. It was the only thing that could not be replicated by any other.
Carefully, despite the familiarity of the magick, she dragged her nail under the wax seal, letting the envelope melt away and the letter unfurl, falling down to her desk. Carefully she went to grab it when a familiar voice spoke directly from the letter.
“Madam Bones, I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. The last of the two Marauders greets you warmly and wishes you well.”
Madam Bones gasped softly as the voice of Sirius floated up from the letter. Only he would use that particular phrase to ascertain his identity.
“I hereby formally request an audience with the Wizamagot on the date of August the 8th to both prove my innocence and for the custody of my godson and heir apparent, Heir Harrison James Potter-Black.”
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Miles away, in a small room huddled under several blankets and hay, Harry shot up, gasping as his chest tightened horribly.
What in MiM had that been?!
He rolled out of his nest, spilling onto the floor, and crawled towards the door.
“Sev’rus…!”
Harry could barely keep his eyes open as the door thudded against the wall and a blurry figure came into view, blocking the harsh light from the hallway. He was enveloped in strong arms and the calming scent of lavender and bergamot and Harry knew he was safe.