Dark Animagi
Everyone turned to Sirius with big eyes. Remus was the first one who got his voice back.
“You went home willingly? Why?”
Sirius looked at him with slight surprise.
“Wait. You didn’t know about this? I thought James told you.”
At that, Remus looked a bit irritated.
“You know what. As it turns out it seems that James haven’t told me much of what you did and said. So just assume that he haven’t told me anything.”
Sirius frowned.
“Don’t be mad at him. I told him that those things were not secrets, and that he could tell others if he wanted to. I guess he just didn’t think it was important. And as to your question, yes. I went back home willingly. The Potter’s didn’t have as many books about dark transfiguration as we had at home.”
Snape leaned forwards a bit.
“Dark transfiguration? Animagi isn’t considered as dark transfiguration.”
On his portrait, Orion rolled his eyes. His son smirked.
“There is another way to become an animagi, you know. A way that can’t be found out by any spell or potion. An ordinary animagi like James or Peter, or Minerva for that matter, can be forced into his or hers human form and back into the animal form. But, if the transformation is made with the help of dark magic, there is no way to prove that said person is an animagi. And… You know what? Why don’t I just show you what happened later.”
He waved his hand towards the wall and another clip started.
Sirius jumped out of the fireplace in the living room and quickly dusted himself off. Regulus looked up from the book he was reading and frowned.
“What are you doing here?”
There was slight hostility in his voice and Sirius stopped. He kept his eyes on his brother for a moment and then sighed.
“What have I done to you, Reg? Why do you suddenly hate me so much?”
Regulus hesitated.
“I… You’re a Gryffindor.”
Sirius walked over to the couch and sat down next to the youngest Black.
“So what? I’m still me. I’m still your brother.”
Regulus seemed to hesitate for another few seconds, before he nodded. With a grin, Sirius threw an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer.
“Don’t worry, Reggie. It will all be fine.”
Regulus moved closer to him.
“I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
A sudden flash of pain went across Sirius’ face, but he masked it quickly and smiled widely at his brother.
“As I said, don’t worry. I’ll try to stay in line and not give grandfather any more reasons to get mad. Maybe we could go visit the girls. I’m sure aunt Druella would be delighted to see us.”
Regulus smiled.
“That would be nice.”
Just then, the door opened and Orion walked inside. He stopped in the door, with slight shock on his face. Sirius let go of Regulus and stood up.
“Father.”
The man collected himself quickly and walked further inside.
“I didn’t expect to see you here. Has something happened?”
Sirius shrugged.
“I don’t really feel good at the Potters. I don’t fit in.”
Orion looked at him with a frown on his face. His eyes were sharp and cold, but then understanding appeared in them.
“Alright. Did you get your things with you?”
Sirius shook his head.
“No. I told James to floo them here.”
Orion nodded and turned to Regulus.
“Your mother wants to see you. She’s going on a visit and wants to take you with her. So you better hurry, before she loses her temper and destroys something.”
Regulus flew up from his seat and ran out of the room. Orion turned to his other son with a hard look on his face.
“Now talk. Why are you really here?”
Sirius’ face expression didn’t change.
“I already told you, father. I didn’t fit in there and didn’t feel well.”
Orion rolled his eyes.
“Don’t try with me, Sirius. You know, as well as I, that you fit in with the Potters. Now tell me the truth. Why are you really here?”
Sirius took a deep breath and flopped down onto the couch. After a few seconds, Orion sat down next to him.
“I… I need books on animagi. On how to become an animagi without being found out.”
For a moment, Orion looked honestly confused. Then understanding, as well as shock, appeared on his face.
“A werewolf will not hurt an animal.”
Sirius nodded.
“I told you before, father. I will not leave Remus. And this way, I might be able to help him get through the full moons better.”
“I’m guessing that you will not register.”
The boy shrugged.
“I don’t think registering as a dark animagi would be smart. Even for a Black.”
At that, the man smiled.
“Section 14 is the one you are looking for. But be careful, Sirius.”
The boy nodded and left the room without another word.
The clip ended and Remus dragged in a shaky breath.
“Dark animagi?”
Sirius nodded.
“Yeah. Why do you think I had so much more control than James or Peter? My transformation was caused by black magic. That was why the Ministry didn’t know about me being an animagi when they locked me up. They couldn’t detect it.”
Molly frowned.
“Why did your father let you do it?”
Orion sighed deeply.
“Because I knew that I could not stop him.”
And, when he noticed that everyone was still looking at him, he continued.
“The transformation into a dark animagi is extremely dangerous. It could kill you if you don’t do it the right way.”
Minerva paled considerably.
“I’ve never heard of a case of animagi dying because of the transformation.”
Sirius shrugged.
“Dark magic likes to take sacrifices. Why do you think so many wizards and witches sacrificed muggles back in the middle ages? Dark spells work much better if they get blood.”
Everyone, except for Snape, looked a bit ill. Dumbledore tilted his head slightly.
“Sirius? Did you ever use black magic in the school?”
Sirius nodded.
“Yeah. A few times. Not to hurt anyone. At least not anyone who didn’t deserve it.”
Remus frowned.
“Wait, what? When?”
Sirius nodded towards the wall.
“It will come up. It was during the time when none of you talked to me. After that big argument.”
“Did anyone know? Marlene? Lily? James?”
Sirius rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed that Remus couldn’t wait until that memory came up.
“Lily knew. I told James later on. I never told Marlene but I think she knew. She was living with me after all. Dark magic is normal in our day to day life. Every house that is owned by a Black is blocked from the Ministry so we can use it however much we want.”
Then he waved his hand towards the wall, making it clear that he was done with answering their questions. Hermione looked up to Orion’s portrait only to jump slightly when she noticed that the man was staring at her. She frowned at him and he smirked before turning to Sirius, who she noticed was watching them. He glared at his father, before giving Hermione a smile and turning back to the wall. Orion gave her a last look, before he too turned towards the wall. Hermione felt confusion, but decided to simply ignore it for now. Especially since the next clip was starting.