Potter Luck

Sirius stepped out of the fireplace and into his Hogwarts living quarters. Like always, the magic of Hogwarts seemed to embrace him. He welcomed the feeling, even if part of him longed to spend a few more days with Harry at Grimmauld Place. 

Harry.

Sirius shook his head, unwilling for his mind to stray down that path right now. He checked the time and sighed. He was due at the final staff meeting in ten minutes. Sirius stowed Harry’s journals in his own trunk, warded with the most powerful ones he could manage, and satisfied that not even Albus Dumbledore could break through, left for the staff room on the third floor. 

“Ah Sirius, excellent. Now that we’re all here we may begin,” Dumbledore smiled benignly. “There is one matter that has arisen since our last meeting which warrants immediate attention,” Dumbledore glanced at Sirius and then Minerva whose face was etched with displeasure.

“Harry Potter,” Dumbledore said gravely. 

“Oh I was so pleased to see him out and about in Diagon Alley,” Filius buzzed from his seat next to Pomona who nodded vigorously. 

“He inspired hope in a lot of people. You must be very proud,” she added, looking between Sirius and Minerva. 

“How is he adjusting to being home, Lord Black? Any issues with the transition?” Madam Pomfrey asked, poised to take notes if need-be.

“Harry is taking it all in stride. He has shared a little of his captivity with me, and it was not pleasant, to say the least. He will be the first to admit he did not come out of it unchanged,” Sirius paused thoughtfully. “Though I think you will all be pleasantly surprised with the changes it has inspired. I have never seen him so settled and assured in himself. I believe that making it through an ordeal such as he did, allowed him to finally recognize his own worth.” Sirius concluded. 

There were other factors at play, and Sirius realized that. He wanted to notify the other professors to Harry’s changes as much as possible though, so it didn’t come as a shock when Lord Potter arrived. Many professors nodded at Sirius’s words. 

“It would be unreasonable, and frankly degrading, to expect Lord Potter to return as the same timid boy we all know from our classes. I look forward to seeing how his newfound confidence will translate to his charmswork,” Filius squeaked earnestly, earning enthusiastic nods from many others and a derisive snort from Severus.

“Thank you for that insight, Sirius,” Albus said, looking less thrilled than the other professors. “Unfortunately, Harry’s life continues to be rife with upset. I’m sure he notified you of the letter he received yesterday?” Albus asked, displeasure evident on his face.

“He did. Thank you for your kind words in it, Minnie. I know they did a lot to pacify Harry’s unease,” Sirius spoke honestly to his old head of house. 

“What letter is this?” Septima inquired.

“It seems that due to Lord Potter’s imprisonment this summer, and subsequent inability to receive his Hogwarts letter, the magic of the school deemed it appropriate to disenroll him. When he returned three days ago, he was re-enrolled. This, however, means that he must be re-sorted the same as if he were a new student,” Minerva explained tightly. She glared at Dumbledore, as if he were at fault for the situation, a line of thought that Sirius could get behind. There were shocked murmurs amongst the staff.

“But surely you are not worried that you will lose one of your brave lions, Minerva?” Snape drawled, speaking for the first time. “Potter remains one of the most foolhardy students within this school.” McGonagall pursed her lips at the potions master. Sirius barely contained his eye roll. Snape was blinded by his hatred of James to see Harry for who he is.

“I would not be so sure, Severus,” McGonagall said in a clipped tone. “Harry Potter is many things, but foolhardy has never been one of them. He has the unfortunate fate to attract danger and chaos, by no choice of his own. It is simply miraculous that he continues to make it out the other side. His propensity for self-preservation is astounding. That, I believe, is one of your traits, Severus.”

“Potter Luck,” Sirius muttered so that only Minerva heard him. She gave him a tight-lipped smile in response. 

“You can’t possibly be suggesting that Potter will be sent to my house,” Snape sneered.

“He very well could,” Minnie retorted harshly, “And if he does you will cease your incessant bullying of him. It is high time you forget the squabbles of youth. I have put up with your mistreatment of him for too long, knowing that he could return to the safety of Gryffindor, but I will not stand idly by should he find himself at your mercy full time,” The room grew cold with the ice in Minerva McGonagall’s voice. Sirius was impressed and grateful. 

Snape’s face paled. Staff meetings usually resulted in a fight of some sort, but never had one devolved into one as harsh as this. Dumbledore, sensing danger, attempted to take control.

“I’m sure this conversation is unneeded. Harry is a true Gryffindor. I merely wished to bring it up so that no one is surprised at the Welcome Feast,” Sirius wanted to snort. True Gryffindor, my arse, he thought. “Now then, Wilhelmina, are you in need of any support as the term begins?” 

Sirius tuned out the rest of the meeting. There were no other topics of interest, only simple house keeping. Filch made an appearance to again request the use of corporal punishment on students. It was vehemently denied. Finally, Sirius rose to leave. 

“Minerva, Severus, and Sirius, please remain. I wish to have a word with you,” Albus instructed. 

Fuck. Order business.

The four remained in their seats, none looking happy to be there, until the other professors made their exits. Sirius watched them go enviously. Albus cast a privacy ward before speaking.

“Sirius, what has Harry shared with you regarding his imprisonment?” Albus cut straight to the point, earning a tsk from Minvera. Sirius frowned.

“I have already shared all that I am willing to regarding Harry,” Sirius responded evenly.

“Come now, my boy. This is to defeat Lord Voldemort, it is for the Greater Good,” Albus prompted.

“I will not betray Harry’s trust for anything, no matter how great the good,” Sirius said coldly. Albus frowned, but plowed on.

“Sirius, you have an obligation, and as Harry’s father–”

“I’ll stop you right there, Albus. I am not Harry’s father. Harry’s father is dead. I am not even his guardian. He is legally and magically emancipated and is a Lord in his own right. Everything that he shares with me, he does so because of mutual trust and respect.” Sirius all but spat. 

“But he is your heir,” Albus said, unwilling to accept Sirius’s explanation.

“He is. I will never have kids of my own and all living Blacks are tied to Death Eaters. I trust Harry to bring the House of Black back to its former glory should anything happen to me. It has nothing to do with familiar feelings.” 

“I hear that you have accepted two such Blacks into your home,” Albus commented with narrow eyes. 

“I did not realize you were so interested in the inner workings of the House of Black,” Sirius replied coldly. Snape’s eyes narrowed upon Dumbledore as his godson was brought into the conversation.

“I just think it peculiar for two known associates of Death Eaters to find their way into a home shared with Harry Potter just hours after his escape from captivity,” Albus said in mock innocence. 

“I don’t appreciate the implications you are directing towards my godson, Albus,” Snape drawled. Albus turned to him.

“I am implying nothing, my dear boy. Merely, making an observation.”

“An observation that could lead the uninformed ear to draw unfounded conclusions,” Snape retorted.

“Surely you will not hold the actions of Lord Malfoy against his heir,” Minerva scoffed. “Should we hold the crimes of your father against you, Albus?” Minnie was on a roll today. Sirius had never loved her more. The headmaster scowled.

“Of course not,” he sighed. “How do you find the company of Lady and Heir Malfoy?” He directed to Sirius, another attempt to fish for information.

“Engaging,” Sirius responded easily. 

“Reconnecting with one’s family often is. And how are Harry and Draco getting along?”

“I fail to see how the social lives of our godsons are relevant to his meeting,” Severus remarked, for once allied with Sirius. Dumbledore smiled indulgently.

“Of course they are not, forgive me for attempting to satisfy an old man’s curiosity. The two boys have always had such a volatile relationship,” When no one offered any information on the subject, Albus cleared his throat and turned his full attention to Severus. 

“What information have you been able to collect?” Snape’s eyes narrowed, but he allowed the change in conversation.

“The Dark Lord is enraged at Potter’s escape. Dolohov and Rabastan Lestrange are dead. No one knows how Potter escaped or if he had help. Several names were put forth as possible traitors, but none resulted in a discovery,” he recounted easily. “The Dark Lord has not shared with anyone what he wanted from the boy. Only a select few were able to see him. As Black so aptly said, I do not think Potter’s imprisonment was a pleasant one,” Snape concluded mechanically. 

“Very well, thank you Severus,” Dumbledore dismissed them shortly after. Sirius accompanied Minerva to her office for a glass of whiskey and easy conversation before the chaos of a new term was set to begin.  

Sirius sat at the staff table between Filius Flitwick and Minerva McGonagall’s empty chair. Sitting on the dias gave him a new view of the Great Hall. When he was a student here, the thought that he would one day return as a professor had never crossed his mind. Now he watched as the final first year was sorted and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. 

His eyes found Harry toward the end of the Gryffindor table, huddled close to Hermione Granger, head bent low and whispering. The Longbottom boy sat on his other side, looking worried. Three Weasleys sat across from him. The fourth Weasley, Ronald, was farther down the table. A sour expression marred his face. It turned to shock and outrage as Minerva explained Harry’s need to be re-sorted. 

Finally, the moment came and Harry was called to the stool. Sirius was impressed by the way Harry moved through the Great Hall. He was the perfect picture of a Lord. He couldn’t help but admire the way his green eyes glowed in the candle light. Harry caught Sirius’s eye and the latter offered a casual wink, earning a wicked smile. Goosebumps extended down Sirius’s neck. 

Sirius saw Minnie exchange a few words with Harry, who smiled softly at the older woman before taking a seat. Sirius could see his head turn in the direction of the Slytherin table where Draco gave him a small nod. Harry relaxed slightly on the stole. Sirius held his breath as Minerva placed the ragged black hat on Harry’s head.

It did not slide down as it did on the first years. It sat tall and proper on Harry's black curls. It was silent. The brim of the hat remained unmoving though Sirius could see the tip moving as if thinking. Seconds stretched to minutes as he watched in fascination. Sirius couldn’t see Harry’s face, but he could see his shoulders and posture reacting as if in conversation. 

Finally, a rumbling laugh echoed through the hall, causing several people to jump. What in the world had the hat told Harry to make him laugh like that? Whispers filled the room for a moment until the hat opened its wide brim to speak with its gruff voice.

“I am not one to make errors. In the thousand years that I have been sorting students, I have never made a single mistake. It is clear to me that that is no longer true. Outside forces have led to a most grievous injustice committed against the Lord upon whose head I rest. There is only one house that was ever deserving of the Power and Greatness of this Lord. SLYTHERIN!” It proclaimed. There was a shocked silence. The sorting hat had never said more than a house when sorting students. The silence was shattered by a thunderous applause from the Slytherin table. Sirius looked to see Draco rise to his feet to greet a smiling Harry, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and directing him to sit next to him. 

His eyes went to the Gryffindor table. The group that had surrounded Harry prior to the sorting were clapping enthusiastically, even if they looked a little sad. The rest of the Gryffindor table could only be described as flabbergasted, some outraged. 

The other two tables clapped politely, looks of surprise and interest littered amongst them. Sirius let his eyes return to Harry. He was shaking hands with who could only be the Zabini heir. 

Minerva took her seat. “You knew he could go to Slytherin,” Sirius whispered as Albus began speaking. She nodded.

“I had a feeling. I am sad to see him go, but I meant what I wrote in his letter. He will always have my support. Besides, he looks like he is in good hands,” her eyes were trained on the arm still sling across Harry’s shoulder and two bent heads. Sirius agreed.

Neither admitted it, but Sirius knew Draco was the one that helped to keep Harry alive the last two years. That formed a unique bond between the two. In the two days Sirius had observed them it was easy to spot. Their silent communication and rapid conversation was that of two people who had spent a lot of time together. Sirius wondered if it was only friendship between the pair, or if it was something more. 

Sirius shook his head clear as dinner appeared. He needed to get a grip on himself. 

Sometime later, Sirius found himself in the most unlikely place he could imagine. He rapped his knuckles on the cold door twice and waited. After a minute, the door swung inward to reveal Severus Snape. Black eyes narrowed when he took in who stood before him.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Black?” His cold voice drawled.

“I came to deliver an apology many years past due,” Sirius replied sincerely. Snape cocked an eyebrow, but stepped aside to let Sirius in. Severus’s personal quarters were dimly lit and filled to the brim with books. Every shelf and surface was loaded with books. 

“I have a feeling this conversation will no doubt give me a headache,” he said dryly as he waved his wand. Two glasses of whiskey floated to them over a stack of texts on ancient runes. 

“It might,” Sirius admitted. He took a sip and was pleasantly surprised at the quality. It seemed that Severus did not cut corners with whiskey. “I’m not sure where to begin, except by saying I’m sorry. I’d love to be able to write it all off with the ignorance and folly of youth, but I know that is no excuse for the way we— I treated you while at school,” Sirius began. 

“I rejected anything and everything that reminded me of my family and my upbringing. Seeing you so absorbed in the dark arts sent me into a frenzy. I was never able to accept that side of myself, and seeing you so enthusiastically and brazenly throw yourself into that world made me hate you.” 

“It wasn’t right and it wasn’t acceptable. I’ve grown up a lot since then, and I’ve learned to accept the darkness within myself. In doing so, I realized how terribly I treated you. As for the incident on the full moon,” Sirius trailed off with a pained wince. “There is no excuse. I hurt a lot of people that day. All I can say is that I am sorry.” Sirius finished. Snape downed his drink in one go. 

“I suppose,” he began slowly, “that I owe you an apology as well. I was cruel and vindictive, and went out of my way to target you and your friends. Our feud was not one sided and neither side wronged the other without promoting. As for the night of the full moon… I suspected what Lupin was. My own stupidity was equally at fault.” It was Sirius’s turn to drink deeply. The two men studied each other.

“I hope we can start a fresh chapter as colleagues,” Sirius finally said.

“If the tides of fate are moving the direction they seem to be, I think we will soon find ourselves allied behind the same wizard,” Snape drawled ominously. There was a furious knock on the door. The heads of both men whipped around to face it.

“Enter,” Severus called, already rising to his feet and gathering a potion’s kit. A short dark haired girl entered the room in a rush. A prefect’s badge shone on her chest, indicating she was the fifth year female prefect from Slytherin.

“Sir, you’re needed in the common room,” the girl said in a rush, she was red in the face, indicating she had run to Snape’s office, but her eyes were alight with adrenaline. 

“Lead the way, Miss Parkinson,” Severus commanded. “Goodnight, Lord Black,” he called over his shoulder. Sirius smiled. Progress had been made.