Verus

1996, 12 Grimmauld Place, Islington, London

There was a rather vivid contrast between the man Harry had first met and the person who sat across from him now. The three of them, being Sirius, Remus, and himself, had since gathered around an old table within the confines of Grimmauld’s kitchen. It was long, wooden, and looked like it had seen better days, much like everything else that littered the eerie house.

Remus had led the way, hand hovering cautiously over the small of Sirius’ back whilst Harry had trailed behind. Neither one of them had spoken much since the reveal of just who Harry was, but the teen had caught on pretty quickly to the identities of the two apparent strangers. But he was honed in on one in particular.

Sirius Black. It appeared that in his haste to defend himself, Harry had failed to remember the likes of his godfather, the aforementioned man Merlin had brought up in his many tales. The same man he himself had been so excited to meet growing up.

Seeing him now though, after all those years spent pining, Harry almost wanted to laugh at just how much this man differed from the person he’d dreamt up as a child. The grand wizard he had always pictured was tall, elegant, and regal. So full of humour, warmth, and charm. His smile had always been bright and his eyes forever youthful. Fantasy Sirius was well educated, too smart for his own good, and he never disappointed when asked to spill all about his many adventures spent abroad. But most of all, the man had been the perfect blend of all four of Harry’s founders, holding a bright flaming torch to each of their best attributes.

This person, this Sirius, sat before him, definitely had a comedic streak- Harry had seen as much during the early moments of their meeting when the former had been completely unaware of his presence- but he also held so much darkness within.

Harry had noticed it slowly. It was this encompassing shadow that seemed to watch carefully from just behind the man’s flamboyantly rowdy image. Sirius disliked it, that much Harry could tell, he never seemed to acknowledge it, stowed it mostly away, as best he could. But it was there, always there. It seemed to trickle out of his pores and infect the air. Harry could sense it even then, not as clear as he had before- earlier, when Sirius had struggled to control the sudden fury he’d felt- but it was right there. Hovering just beneath. A baited breath away.

Granted, Remus seemed to compliment him nicely. The two balanced one another out, and without even trying. Where Sirius was sharp and rather quick to use his words as weapons, Remus appeared subdued, an unrelenting albeit calming presence.

The latter was sat opposite Harry too, close to the raven haired wizard who was still somehow struggling to string together a coherent sentence, but he observed Harry with a piercing intensity that the boy found oddly intriguing.

Harry had an inkling about him of course, he couldn’t not with the way they had earlier connected. That zap of pressure he’d felt, the fascinating chill that had bristled the hairs on the back of his neck, and the prolonged energy that had seemed to pass between their two beings. But most of all, he was intrigued by his magic’s reaction to the quiet man. Remus Lupin seemed to be quite the enigma, but Harry was rather unsure on just how to go about voicing it.

There had already been enough upset for the time being, and this truly wasn’t how Harry had pictured meeting his godfather for the very first time. In spite of that though, he couldn’t seem to help himself, and opened his big mouth before he could even heed Rowena’s careful warning about tamping down his excessively inquisitive nature.

“So…” He practically sung, “was it the you who recognised me first, or the wolf?”

The silence that had since settled within the kitchen’s four walls stretched further then, practically all-consuming. He could actually hear the faint tick of the grandfather clock that crowded the cluttered hallway, as well as the drip on one of the upstair sinks, it deafened the space.

Harry merely quirked a brow.

Sirius though, started to sputter, his eyes dancing between the pair of them as he struggled to wade off the assumption. But aside from a sharp, quiet inhale, Remus barely reacted.

Interesting, Harry deemed as his elbows came to rest on the table’s wearing top.

“The wolf.” Remus offered him after a short pause, and Harry found himself nodding slowly.

It made the most sense, it was also what he had previously predicted. But Harry had never actually gotten the chance to get closely aquatinted with any real werewolves before- though there had been many packs within Britain during his time- and so he found himself to be brimming with a plethora of questions.

Although, the biggest question that truly plagued their small group, was the one Harry had been most expecting since the great reveal of who he truly was, and coincidentally that was when it came.

Remus was the one to ask it, surprising Harry slightly. He’d mostly figured that the man might have wanted to extend their previous topic of conversation a little longer, but perhaps Remus could sense the wolf which lied beneath the same way Harry had recognised the man’s own. He let the topic drop, for now.

“Where have you been all this time?”

Remus asked it with a distinct earnestness, but Harry could identify the slight apprehension he also felt, it wavered his balmy tone.

Harry huffed out a breath as he stretched languidly in his seat, kicking his legs out beneath the table as he let his arms fall aimlessly into his lap. This could turn out to be quite the conversation.

“The 10th century.”

Sirius looked torn between laughter and utter bewilderment upon hearing his answer, whilst Remus’ eyes never drifted, only softened.

“Come on, Harry.” The man prompted, Harry noted that there was a distinct struggle with letting himself voice the name, as though it had almost been forbidden. “We- I mean, its just that its been fifteen years! You were… well, you were there and then you were simply gone. Just like them, just like-”

He stopped short, lips pursing.

“Just like Lily and James?” Harry offered, finishing the sentence for him.

Remus nodded uncomfortably, gaze turning towards Sirius for the briefest of seconds before he shuffled slightly in his chair. “Your parents, they were-“ He breathed in deeply, it was obviously still quite a sore topic for the elder. “There was reason, there was… proof, as to what had happened to them. They’d gone into hiding, there had been so much talk beforehand. You though, you were the one oddity no one could quite solve. You were there, and then you were gone. Like you’d just…”

“Vanished.” Sirius spoke, his voice croaky and eyes glazed.

His godfather’s anxiety though was palpable, almost neurotic, his sad gaze met Harry’s own with reverence and the boy watched closely as Remus’ hand fell away from the tabletop to squeeze Sirius’ own.

“Yes, you vanished.” The latter murmured.

Harry’s brow creased and he moved to entangle his fingers together, noting how the new rings he now bared there clinked slightly. It was something he’d have to get used to, he supposed. Much like how everyone in this era still evidently grieved the deaths of his parents greatly.

“Why would I lie?” Harry asked, examining the duo with a faux casual graze.

Remus let out a small tinny laugh, disbelieving but obviously not wanting to offend. “We’re not calling you a liar, Harry. It’s just, well I suppose it’s just rather hard to believe that you were living a thousand years in the past.”

“You can trust us, Harry.” Sirius then intoned, looking a little more animated than he had. He shared an uncertain glance with Remus, but the latter only encouraged him with a gentle nod, spurring him on. “We swear not to tell a soul. Wherever you’ve been, whatever you’ve done, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re here now, back home.”

Harry cringed internally at the man’s last word but didn’t outwardly react, not wanting to offend. This place felt so far from home.

He shrugged instead, “Believe what you like, but that’s where I was. I grew up a thousand years in the past, safe from all the people here.”

The two men looked a little hurt upon hearing that and so Sirius hurried to reassure. “You’re safe here with us, Harry.”

In turn, Harry gifted the man a small but genuine smile. Unsure on how to respond.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, you know.” Harry told him, and he chuckled quietly as his mind wandered slightly. “The great Sirius Black, a mighty lion born in the very centre of a snake pit.

“I knew of someone who reminded me a lot of you actually, just from the few stories that I’d been told growing up. He was quite a few years younger than me, though it was hard not to engage with everyone I suppose- we were a small bunch, slowly growing.” He added to appease the bewildered curiosity that was so clearly written across the two men’s faces. “He was seemingly a diamond lost in a suit of spades.”

Lionel Arkwright had first been recruited by Salazar on his many trips to find other magical children within the isles, but had eventually found his rightful place within Helga’s own little realm.

The boy’s family had been quite wealthy, having made more than a decent living from crafting chests and upholstering unique pieces of furniture. They’d also managed to hide their magic for many decades from the muggles they had settled amongst, building a name for themselves. And what a legacy they’d made, almost everyone within the country had known of the Arkwright’s and their ability to furnish the most exquisite items, some of which were lightyears ahead of their time.

Sal had first believed Lionel to be yet another one of his serpents, the child had been far too serious and tightlipped upon their first meeting. Salazar had also had the opportunity to meet the boy’s father and elderly grandmother, who were both cunningly self-aware and determined to protect their own as well as the business they had forged, traits so many other Slytherins carried. But no, Lionel had been quite the opposite and blossomed under the gentle nurture of the other Hufflepuffs he’d been sorted amongst during his first feast, surprising almost all of the castle.

But back to Sirius, who was still blinking at the small tidbit of information he’d been given.

“You’ve heard of me?”

Harry nodded once. “‘Course, and of you too, Remus.” He added, glancing at the man who now bored a look of surprise. “One of my mentors knew of the two of you, they kept me updated once I was finally old enough to learn about my past.”

A stormy look crossed Sirius’ face and within seconds the atmosphere changed once more. “They knew of us and still chose to keep you away? Why? We grieved you, Harry! I thought- no, you don’t even want to know of the many things that crossed my mind during the time you’ve been gone! We hoped and we prayed! Kept waiting, valiantly, for a sign, for any kind of sign that would let us know you were okay, or at the very least… at rest.”

His godfather’s voice had trailed off towards the end but Harry had heard enough to acknowledge the fact that this man had clearly mourned some part of the tiny babe he had once known. But even upon observing Sirius’ reaction to this, Harry still couldn’t fault Merlin for what he had done either, no matter how much it saddened him to see the hurt the older wizard had unfortunately caused.

“I’m sorry you lost so much.” Harry apologised to the man quietly, extending a hand out across the table, close but not quite touching. “My mentor… he’s an excellent man, wise in his many ways, but still human. He did best by me, of that you can be certain. It was never his intention to purposely hurt you though, Sirius.”

The man’s grey eyes were glossed over with unshed tears but he stared down resolutely at Harry’s splayed hand, almost too afraid to blink.

“Please know that.” Harry whispered.

The gentle clearing of Remus’ throat had the teen withdrawing back into his seat, he looked across at the other man whilst Sirius sniffed and straightened slightly, trying to discreetly wipe away the wetness under his eyes.

“What else did they tell you?” Remus questioned him softly, “You’ve been gone so long, but it’s almost like no time has passed at all.”

Harry offered him a small smile as he downcast his eyes. “They told me what I needed to know, of the two opposing sides that have waged this war of yours, of the current world and its many affairs, of the battle between dark and light. They spoke of my parents’ deaths too, of some of the other people I still had here- the likes of you two, as well as a few others.” Harry paused and let his gaze drag between Sirius and Remus. “They also thought it best to inform me of Voldemort.”

A choking sound emitted from his godfather’s throat at that and Remus’ body immediately leaned in closer.

“And what did they say?”

Harry waited and observed the werewolf for a moment. “The majority. How he was the one who murdered my parents and who then attempted to kill me. That he rivalled the power Grindelwald once held, and that he and his followers had been close to winning the war that had been started.”

“They were not!” Sirius scoffed unjustly, jaw set and eyes angry. “Those snakes were no where near close! They murdered and tortured those who wouldn’t suffice to their values and branded children with their godforsaken marks, but they weren’t winning, of that much I can assure you, Harry.”

Harry in turn casted the man a sympathetic glance. “And so you believe that the light would have managed to defeat Voldemort?” At Sirius’ stubborn, stern nod, Harry continued, ‘The same people who also murdered and tortured those who believed a change was necessary? Who had also recruited children themselves?”

Sirius looked beyond outraged at Harry’s questioning. “What lies have these people fed you, Harry? The Death Eaters were coldblooded killers! They didn’t want change, they wanted power.”

It was sad to see first hand just how disillusioned Sirius was, how deeply he believed that the light had done, and could do, no wrong.

“What lies have I spoken, Sirius?” Harry asked the man softly.

Sirius spluttered for a brief moment, “That we murdered innocents! That we tortured for fun! You make it sound as though we were just as bad as Death Eater scum.”

“In war, there are no innocents.” Harry retorted, keeping his tone low and calm. “You were fresh out of school when you joined Dumbledore’s army, Sirius. Merely a child.”

“And what do you know of Dumbledore?” Sirius said scathingly.

Harry sighed, already feeling the affects of this long day. He’d been expecting a warm bed, perhaps a hot meal upon his arrival, not this. He hadn’t yet prepared for all of this.

Perhaps it was a miracle, or simply that Remus had read just how exhausted Harry suddenly seemed, because the man decided then to speak up after a long bout of silence.

“Sirius… I think Harry may have a point.”

At this, Harry’s godfather turned to Remus sharply, a deep sting of rejection and disappointment shone in his steely eyes.

“Just hear me out, Pads.” Remus tried to placate, a sad look on his aged face. “Harry’s not trying to say that we’re inherently evil, or that what we did during the war was wrong. Just that, perhaps we were, and still are, a little too conformed to our beliefs, to what we have been told.

We had friends, families to fight for, but- didn’t they also? I mean, you had family members within Voldemort’s ranks, Sirius.” The man scowled, but Remus paid it no heed. “Each of us, we all carry our own principles, our own morals. What I believe in, you may not agree with. And so on. It’s not as simple a matter of just seeing it in black and white.”

Sirius still looked far too tense even after having heard Remus out, like a tiger ready to pounce from the way he was sat in his seat.

“Take it this way then.” Remus sighed, “You feel that my, being a werewolf, has no impact on my ability to live within Wizarding society like any other wizard, yes?” Sirius nodded once, slowly, his brow furrowing. “But, there are many out there who would go against that notion. Who would say that I’m too dangerous to conform, right? So who has the ability to deem what side of the war was doing the right thing? We were all fighting for what we thought was for the greater good. Voldemort’s followers believed in his ideals, they wanted a change, and the only way they could go about seeing it happen was to stand up.”

Remus’ eyes dragged to Harry’s as his rant came to a slow end, almost as if he was unsure on how Harry would take his words, if he had understood the teen’s stance on the situation correctly.

Harry smiled and gave a nod. “Exactly my point, Remus!”

Sirius was frowning in full force now. His confusion clouded the air much like a dark storm cloud above his head. The man was quiet for a long while, leaving remus to stew in his anxiety whilst Harry took the time to gaze about the rest of the room, noting the dust and obvious disuse.

“Does this place have a House elf? Or had any actual tenants within the last decade, for that matter?” Harry quizzed thoughtfully.

Both men, sat opposite, blinked rapidly at his sudden change in conversation topic. But Remus took it in stride, actually a little thankful for it.

“This place belongs to Sirius, it was left to him shortly after his mother’s passing about eleven years ago now.”

“Dreadful woman.” Was all Sirius had to offer her memory, still not meeting Harry’s eye.

Harry hummed, “So no one’s lived here since?”

Remus looked to the dark haired wizard beside him for a brief second. “No. Well, no humans at least.”

At Harry’s raised brow, the werewolf smiled bashfully and went on.

“Grimmauld has one House elf, he’s always been here from what I understand. He was here when Sirius was growing up, and after he’d eventually … left.”

“Really?” It didn’t seem like it, Harry thought, passing over the last detail. House elves tend to live to serve, it was their main purpose, it’s what practically kept them alive in all honesty.

Looking around the property, it was hard to believe that a House elf lived here, let alone having allowed their master’s home to fall into such disarray, to look as it did.

Remus thinned his lips and hummed in retort, his eyes appraising the kitchen in the same way Harry’s had.

“Do you think he would come if I called?” Harry merely asked, and was surprised to receive an enormous snort from his godfather. Harry looked over to him. “What’s so novel about that question?”

Sirius’ face screwed up slightly, but then he shrugged and replied all the same. “Let’s just say Kreacher isn’t your typical House elf, and leave it at that.”

Harry frowned, before he was up and out of his chair, taking pause at the kitchen sink where the narrow rectangular room ended. “Kreacher?” He called out loudly.

A quiet ensued.

Sirius chewed at his lower lip, looking around. “Harry… I don’t think-”

The man was promptly cut off by a pop and the slight creak of wood. Harry looked over towards the doorway on his right, and in the shadowed frame he saw a dwarfed figure stood there, watching.

Harry tilted his head, pulling away from where he had propped himself up on the porcelain to face the figure. “Kreacher?” He called again.

“Kreacher was called.” Came the gruff and blunt response. Harry withheld a smirk.

“And are you he?”

Quiet.

But then, “Yes.”

Harry grinned at the prolonged answer, “Perfect! Now won’t you please join us? Standing out in the doorway has you appearing far too ominous.”

Another pause, but Kreacher followed the polite order and slowly shuffled into the room, his back slightly hunched as his beady eyes shifted between the three of them.

“Merlin, I didn’t think House elves could age, but you’ve gone and proven me wrong once again, Kreacher!” Sirius exclaimed when the elf finally stopped, wearing a somewhat vicious smile.

Kreacher actually growled in response, stirring a giddy feeling somewhere within Harry as he fought not to laugh outright. Of course it would be him, who had a godfather who’s greatest enemy seemed to be that of a House elf, possibly the most helpful of creatures.

“Alright, alright. The only two in this room not to bear any actual claws but here I am having to tell you to ‘put them away’.” Harry intervened amicably, he chuckled quietly to himself as he fell back into his previous position by the kitchen sink, wisely choosing not to notice the confusion written across Sirius’ face. Though, he noted, Remus’ tiny but amused smirk as the man casually glanced away.

“Now!” Harry begun, clasping his hands before him as he peered around at the rooms other occupants. “Kreacher, if it’s fine with Sirius here, I’d quite like to take up residence here for a short while-”

His speech was quite quickly cut off by an appalled looking Sirius. “You- live here? Harry you cannot be serious!” The man held up a single finger when Harry opened his mouth to make an obvious joke but continued on, silencing the younger who then wore an amused grin.

That was a new way of telling him to shut up, Harry was certain Sal would appreciate it.

“I won’t hear of it! We have plenty of room back at the flat- we can even make room! And if not, then there’s the manor, I’m sure grandfather won’t mind a few unexpected guests.”

Harry quirked a brow at his godfather, but it was Kreacher who next spoke.

“Kreacher does not wish to serve the mut and his owner. Kreacher’s mistress would turn in her grave!”

Sirius’ grey eyes grew in anger and Harry quickly moved to step between the two when the wizard jumped out of his seat.

“Now, now. There’s really no need for all this provoking.” Harry soothed, hands slightly outstretched towards the pair. He turned to the House elf first, “Kreacher, I truly only did mean me when I started my question of wanting to live here.”

Harry, in the same fashion of his godfather, only raised a single digit when Sirius went to talk over him again, earning a derisive snort from Remus and a shocked expression from the former himself.

“I was merely wondering if you would have any issue with that.”

The House elf looked confused at his question and then irritated at feeling puzzled. Harry waited patiently.

“The House of Black welcomes Heir Potter. Its magicks like you. Surround you.” Kreacher commented gruffly, eyeing Harry rather closely whilst the rest of the room watched on, some more bewildered than others. “Will Kreacher still have his place here?”

Harry’s lips fell into a sort of frown, “Of course, Kreacher. Who would I be if were to cast you out of your home?”

The House elf in question turned to glare cruelly at Sirius, baring a row of grim teeth. The latter rolled his eyes but looked away.

Harry would address that issue later. “I just need somewhere to settle before school starts in September.”

“We have room!”

“What school?”

Came the two adults replies, but Harry ignored them for the House elf, something Kreacher seemed to value greatly.

“I won’t be around much, but I’ll help where needed, even help you tidy this place up. I’m sure Mistress Black would much appreciate it.” Harry knew he was playing on the elf’s emotions but well, Salazar had had a hand in raising him. He knew how to play his cards well.

Kreacher eyed him under careful scrutiny, seemingly thinking the offer over. “You can stay,” Sirius tried to interfere once again but the elf only spoke louder, drowning the man out. “But no helping. Kreacher will serve Master Potter, he be a worthy master, nothing like the mut.”

“You little-”

“Harry’s fine.” Harry told the elf, “I really am grateful for this, Kreacher.”

The elf almost looked a little constipated before he scowled and stepped back. “You be needing anything else from Kreacher?”

“Not now, thank you. Though I may need your assistance later.”

Kreacher nodded and then he was gone in a pop.

Harry turned to face the remaining two and let out a happy exhale. “One thing I can cross off my list.” He grinned as he took to his seat once more, glad that was finally out of the way. “Oh yeah, sorry Sirius, what were you saying again?”

—

Cajoling Sirius Black was a task in itself, but Harry had somehow managed it.

It was all too apparent that the man was not fond of leaving a teenager all alone in an empty house- because he had been very clear on the point that he would not deem Kreacher a fit enough guardian to watch over Harry. As though the teen truly needed watching over. But he had eventually left with an anxious frown, under the pretence that Harry felt much more comfortable being alone, seeing as though Sirius was still somewhat of a stranger, and that if he needed anything he would owl the man.

Harry shook his head in quiet amusement as he set about emptying his bags into the room he had claimed since his godfather and Remus’ drawn-out departure. Both of whom he expected to be back to interrogate him a little more some time tomorrow. But for now, Harry was rather content to unpack and prep for the coming days ahead. There was much to be done before September rolled around, and he wanted to be sure that he had enough time to do it.