A Sirius Discussion
There is a knock on the door precisely five minutes before the time specified in the letter, after all, five minutes early is on time for important meetings, allowing time for people to get settled so the meeting can actually begin at the agreed upon time. Alfred promptly opens the door, looks over the eclectic group: an older woman in a tartan dress suit, a disheveled younger middle age man, a red headed middle aged woman, and a large black dog, that might almost be larger than Ace, a dog whom Master Bruce had had when he was younger. Alfred spares a moment to look over the group, and seemingly satisfied by what he sees, opens the door further to invite the group into the hotel room. He offers to take their coats before leading them to the sitting room, where Jason is sitting sideways in the armchair, feet over one of the arms, reading. “If you would have a seat, I shall fetch Masters’ Bruce, Harry, and Richard.” Alfred dips his head to the group before turning to leave. As soon as the door is closed behind him, Jason looks up from his book and asks “So, you’re the wand waving weirdos, huh. Cool,” before turning back to his book without giving anyone the chance to respond. Remus allows a small smile at the comment before choosing a seat.
The meeting itself goes about as well as could be expected. Terse accusations and reprimands of the negligent actions of the adults present, particularly where they failed to protect Harry, from Bruce. Attempts to send the boys out so the adults could talk from Molly. Which was naturally followed by the insistence from Bruce that as the meeting directly involves Harry, he is more than welcome to stay, and that if Harry is okay with Dick and Jason being present, then that is his choice. Additionally, if they are not at the meeting with the goal of doing the utmost to protect Harry, then they are more than welcome to leave, and if they stay, they need to cooperate, because it isn’t fair to Harry to be stuck in the middle of the adults fighting about how to protect him. At that particular comment, Harry pauses in petting Snuffles, which had been where the majority of his focus had been since he walked into the room, to give Bruce a look of gratitude. By the time the meeting is winding down, nearly three hours later, it had been determined that the Order would look into the Blood Wards and see if they could be tied to a specific person, or if they needed to be tied to a house. They would also research how to transfer the blood wards to Richard, as the other biological child of James and Lily. In the meantime, the Order would arrange for temporary magical protection for the Wayne family. Another meeting had been planned for the following night, where they could discuss specifics of what would need to happen with the Order and MACUSA if Harry is going to live in Gotham for part of the summer.
As Bruce exchanges pleasantries with Minerva and Remus, Harry asks, “Hey, uh, Bruce, can Snuffles stay? Please. At least until tomorrow?” Harry is still tentatively clutching Snuffles’ fur, clearly having paused petting just long enough to ask.
Bruce pauses and looks at Harry with Snuffles and realizes that this is the most relaxed he has seen Harry since they met the day before and allows himself a small smile. “Sure, I don’t see that being a problem. Just, maybe don’t let the hotel staff see if you take him out for a walk. I am not entirely sure how I would explain this.”
At which Dick chuckles, and fake coughs while saying, “eccentric billionaire” and resumes his laughter. Bruce rolls his eyes, then looks to Alfred before nodding to their guests, a clear message to show them out.”
Once the guests have all left and the room has settled into a comfortable silence, Bruce carefully asks, “so, does Snuffles belong to one of your friends?”
“Oh, uh, no. He’s kinda a stray, or well, he was. And he has always been protective of me, and he saved my friend’s life once, so yeah. We kinda take care of him, I guess,” Harry shrugs, not looking up from petting Snuffles once during his explanation.
“He protects you? And he once saved the life of your friend? Dude, Snuffles is so awesome! Can I pet him? Please?” As soon as Harry nods a quick yes that Dick can pet Snuffles, Dick bounces over to sit next to Harry and Snuffles!” While enthusiastically petting Snuffles, Dick coos, “Aren’t you a good boy? Yes, you are. Such a good boy!”
Jason looks up to watch Dick in his excitement, at which he rolls his eyes with a fond smile. “I gotta say, I am super curious about how he protects you. I feel like there has got to be a story there,” Jason observes more than asks as he carefully marks his page in the book so he can put it down.
“Uh, well. Two summers ago, Uncle Vernon’s sister, Marge, was staying with us. She breeds dogs and they don’t like me at all. Anyway, at dinner one night she starts going on about how my mom and I are perfect examples of bad breeding, and I got angry at her, and lost my temper, and I, uh, well kinda blew her up like a balloon. Well, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia started yelling and Dudley was freaking out, and I thought for sure I was going to get expelled for using magic on her especially since I had gotten a warning letter the summer before for something I hadn’t even done, so, I ran away. And I met Snuffles, and he kept an eye on me until I was able to get on a Wizarding bus safely. And I guess somehow, he made it to my school, and he just kept an eye on me all year. And I tend to get into a lot of trouble at school. I don’t go looking for it or anything, but it has a way of just sorta finding me. So… yeah,” Harry shrugs again.
“Is he a magical dog then? Is Hedwig a magical owl? Is that how she knows where to deliver mail? Are magical animals smarter than regular animals? Because it seems like they are smart, aren’t you boy!” Dick pets Snuffles even more enthusiastically while he is calling Snuffles smart, at which Snuffles starts wagging his tail looking super proud of himself. Harry doesn’t respond for a long few minutes, just slowly petting Snuffles while trying to decide what he wants to say and everyone else remains quiet as well. After a long considering look at Snuffles, Harry comes to a resolution and without looking up from petting Snuffles, starts talking, “I think I mentioned last night that my godfather wouldn't be a fugitive. Well I guess I should probably start by explaining that. Apparently, my parents knew that they were in danger so they, we, went into hiding. And there is a kind of magic called Fidelius, I think, and it can hide something, and it needs to have what's called a secret keeper, and unless the secret keeper willingly gives up the secret no one can find you. Well, everyone thought that my dad's best friend, my godfather, was the secret keeper, but he had convinced my dad that that would be too obvious, and that they should make Peter Pettigrew, another one of their friends, the secret keeper instead.
So, when Voldemort was able to kill my parents everyone knew that my godfather had betrayed them, but my godfather knew it was Peter. So, he went after Peter and Peter cut off his own finger and faked his death. Meanwhile, my godfather ended up in the wizarding prison.” Harry pauses and takes a deep breath, still methodically petting Snuffles. Dick, meanwhile, caught up in his story is sitting completely still, as are Bruce and Jason. Nobody moves or says anything, not wanting to spook Harry.
“Two years ago, my godfather broke out of the wizarding prison, the first person ever to do so. Everyone thought he broke out to kill me. But it turns out that Peter had found a way to hide in plain sight and, well, he was actually really close to me for years, so my godfather broke out to protect me and finally kill Peter, I guess. But stuff happened and Peter, my godfather, my 2 best friends, and two of my professors, one of them was friends with my godfather, and one of them hated my godfather over stuff that happened when they were in school, well they all, we all ended up in this abandoned building outside the school. And Peter admitted to all of it, and I convinced my godfather not to kill him because then he could go to prison and my godfather could be free, but stuff happened. And Peter escaped and my godfather was arrested, and the Minister of Magic was just going to remove my godfather's soul without listening to anything I said 'cause I'm just a kid. So, one of my friends and I rescued him. But Peter is still out there so my godfather is still a fugitive in hiding even though he is innocent. And he is innocent!”
Dick takes this as a cue to wrap up his older brother in a hug, unsure how else he could respond. How different would his life had been if his brother’s godfather had been around? Or if his parents hadn't been betrayed, would he still have ended up with the Graysons? Would he ever even have met the people he called mom and dad? As Dick’s thoughts start to spiral, he hugs his brother even tighter, not noticing that Harry has no idea what to do with the hug.
Finally, Bruce breaks the silence with a sigh. “Is your godfather the dog?”
Which, naturally, makes Harry jolt upright, resulting in Dick getting pushed off. Jason rapidly looks between Snuffles, Harry, and Bruce before smiling and simply saying “Cool.” Which makes Bruce tiredly rub his temples.
Another beat passes before Snuffles walks a few steps away from Harry and Dick and suddenly just transforms into a tall, well not compared to Bruce, skinny man with wild hair the same color his fur had been. As soon as he is completely human, he rubs the back of his head sheepishly, and asks more than says “Hi?”
Another long moment passes before Bruce looks at Harry and asks “Let me get this straight, your godfather is Sirius Black. And can turn into a dog. And he is a wanted fugitive.”
Harry quickly nods yes, expecting Bruce to react like the Dursley’s, in a combination of anger and fear. Instead Bruce quietly calls for Alfred, who upon seeing no dogs and an additional person in the room asks, “I suppose another cup of tea and some light refreshments are in order then.” Alfred turns and leaves, mumbling about malnourished children and meal plans.
Harry and Sirius watch Alfred go. Sirius is still awkwardly standing in the middle of the room. Bruce finally stands up, walks the two steps to close the distance, and reaches his hand out to Sirius, “Bruce, nice to meet you. Go ahead and take a seat, please” Jason laughs at B’s tense formalities, clearly trying to calm the situation down even though he clearly doesn't like it.
Sirius slowly nods then goes to sit down next to Harry again this time with his arm around Harry. “You doing OK Cub?” Harry leans into the touch and nods at which Bruce finally sits back down.
After Alfred brings in the tea and refreshments, including slices of leftover cake, one of which is the slice that says “Boy” which causes two of the teenagers to break out into snickers, Bruce finally breaks the silence, “How did Peter hide in plain sight?”
“He can turn into a rat. It's called being an animagus and it's a really difficult bit of transfiguration. You can only turn into one type of animal and you don't choose it. James, Peter, and I all learned while we were in school so we could help Remus. James was a stag.”
“And Peter, as a rat, was close to Harry?”
“Uh, yeah he was hiding as his friend’s pet rat, probably since just after he faked his own death.”
“And no one noticed the exceptionally long-lived rat?”
“Well as Richard,” Sirius nods to Dick, “noticed earlier magical animals can be more intelligent, they can also be more long lived.”
The silence dragged on yet again, although it was clear that Harry was terrified of Bruce's response toward Sirius. Bruce sighs again. “I expect you to tell me everything later. About the war, your arrest, your escape, and your time as a fugitive. Everything. But for now, you are welcome to stay. Harry trusts you, so I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt on this once. Do not make me, or Harry, regret it.”
Meanwhile, at another Order Meeting: Minerva, Molly, and Remus all disapparated from the hotel stairwell to 12 Grimmauld place where yet another order meeting would soon be taking place. Molly immediately vanished into the kitchen, clearly frustrated at how the meeting had gone, and the fact that Snuffles had been of more comfort to Harry than she had been. Minerva and Remus, meanwhile, walk into the dining room where they sit down to discuss their impressions of how the meeting had gone.
“Bruce Wayne and his butler, Alfred, are quite perceptive.”
Remus chuckles. “Yeah, they are, aren't they? And they weren't about to let us skirt the topics we didn't want to discuss, especially around Harry's safety and welfare. Not that I blame them.”
“No, I daresay we deserved every bit of their ire where Harry is concerned. In fact, I must admit I believe it would do Albus good to sit down and have a nice long conversation with Mr. Wayne about his decision to leave Harry with his relatives.”
“Really. If I didn't know better, I would almost believe you want to watch Albus be lectured by someone other than yourself for some of his less than stellar decisions.”
“I have no idea what you are insinuating, Remus. I do not lecture Albus for his, as you put it, less than stellar decisions. I yell. Which I would expect you to know after our previous order meeting.”
“Of course, Professor, my apologies.”
“Remus, honestly. You haven't been my student in nearly two decades and you were a colleague the year before last. Minerva will do just fine.”
Remus chuckles again and dips his head towards Minerva but doesn't get the chance to respond before members of the order start walking in for the meeting.
When Severus arrives, he glances around before asking “Where is the mutt? Decided he needn't grace us with his presence?”
“Severus sit down. And for your information, Sirius was asked to stay behind by Mr. Potter. Or more accurately Snuffles was. And I doubt he will be reckless enough to jeopardize his, albeit, limited freedom, not if it means losing Harry.”
Severus doesn't respond to Minerva, and instead stalks to a chair as far from everyone else as he can get. The room dissolves into idle chat, during which time Molly emerges from the kitchen with tea and sandwiches that get passed around. When Albus finally arrives, looking quite weary, he goes directly to the chair left open at the head of the table and starts the meeting immediately. Again, he cedes the floor directly to Minerva, “Molly, Remus, Snuffles, and I went to the hotel at 10 this morning. It is a high end, muggle, establishment and there was no evidence of magic aside from us and young Mr. Potter. Mr. Wayne and his butler, Alfred Pennyworth, were welcoming and civil, although both were on guard for the duration of the meeting. Neither batted an eye whilst asking intelligent questions about Mr. Potter's safety both within the magical community and outside of it. Nor did either seem entirely surprised by someone thought to have been dead returning. He only asked if that particular branch of magic might cause Harry issues in the future.
Once the blood wards were explained, Jason, the younger of Mr. Wayne's adopted sons, asked if they could be tied to Dick because they are biologically related. That is to say, related by blood. He also asked and I quote “If the wards or whatever would be stronger if the person they are tied to, like, actually cares. Like at all.” An answer I was unable to provide given my limited understanding of these wards.
Additionally, Mr. Wayne wanted to know what steps he would need to jump through to take Harry with him to an American city called Gotham. He did not state whether it would be for the short or long term and did ask questions for as many specifics as we could provide for both possibilities. It appears that he intends to let Harry be the deciding factor he was far more concerned about the chance of Harry being forcibly returned to the Dursley's.” Minerva took a breath and her seat, opening the floor to further discussion.
“If Jason was in the meeting, were Harry and Richard as well?” Dumbledore asks with a raised eyebrow.
At this Molly huffs. “Yes, all three boys were welcome to be a part of the meeting. Mr. Wayne actually left that decision up to Harry,” it is entirely clear in Molly's tone that she doesn't agree with that particular decision.
“And now where is Snuffles, at the moment?” Again, Dumbledore has a single raised eyebrow, expecting an answer even though he stated more than asked.
“Harry spent the entire time petting Snuffles, he only seemed to be halfway paying attention to what was said. He asked if Snuffles could stay and Mr. Wayne was okay with it. Largely, I think because of how calm Harry looked while petting Snuffles. I wish I could have gotten a picture.” Remus answers with a fond smile.
“Mr. Wayne asked for a second meeting, dinner tomorrow. It sounded like he was planning to reserve a private room in a muggle restaurant, and would greatly appreciate it if you, Albus, are able to join. I expect he plans to take the boys sightseeing tomorrow. He also wanted to know if it would be too risky to invite Harry's friends from school to spend the day with them in muggle London. And what security arrangements would need to be made for parental peace of mind. Which we ought to discuss before tomorrow.”
Minerva's no-nonsense tone is enough to convince all present where she stands on this topic, and the meeting dissolves into chaotic suggestions and snide remarks about specific duties, plans, and scheduling conflicts for the upcoming days. By the time evening has come around, and the members of the order who work during the day have started arriving, duties and schedules have been assigned and a consensus has been reached.