Sirius caught him as he stumbled out of the floo into the Leaky Cauldron, having been warned in advance about Harry's ineptitude when it came to floo travel. Casting a quick spell to remove the worst of the ash and soot from his dress robes his godfather steadied him before placing a hand firmly on his shoulder. It was a week after his birthday and the first time either had been seen in the Wizarding world since Sirius's innocence was declared just over two weeks previously and both Harry and Sirius were expecting a certain amount of trouble, hence the hand which was kept tight around his shoulder as they manoeuvred through the pub which had gone silent when the patrons had realised precisely whom had just exited the floo. Harry grimaced at the attention and Sirius smiled down at him, "You realise it's going to worse when we get into the alley," his godfather remarked softly. Harry just made a face and nodded. No matter how many times he had been stared at because he was the boy-who-lived it still didn't mean he liked it, and add in the extra attention being with Sirius was going to bring, he was absolutely positive he was going to hate it.
A few moments later and they made their way into the alley. Then the whispers started. It was just one witch at first but as more and more people noticed them the murmurings grew so loud he began to hear phrases, mutterings, "shouldn't be allowed," , "Murderer with our hero, it's just wrong," , "He must be abusing the poor lad,". At the last comment Harry shrunk back against Sirius, seeking his godfather's protection and he felt the hand on his shoulder tighten in response, letting him know Sirius was there for him.
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Discover moreWriter communityFiction writing guidesApp store marketingBook recommendationsCrossover storiesOnce he had reassured his godson, Sirius turned to regard the poor witch who had the gall to utter such at statement in Harry's hearing, fury in his eyes. The witch blanched but stood her ground, a feat which Sirius would have admired her for had it not been for the comment she had made. "Of course you're abusing the boy; it's obvious the lad is far too thin." Now the stares of everyone else in the Alley were fixed on the scene. Sirius felt Harry flinch and wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulders, bringing him closer and he felt his godson relax slightly and shift deeper into his hold. "I would never do anything to hurt Harry," he said, every syllable trembling with anger. Feeling his pup stiffen slightly at the anger and reminding himself that the only experience the teen had with anger had resulted in him getting hit, he forced himself to calm down before he spoke again.
"But you are hurting him by abusing him," the witch said stubbornly. He drew breath to throw her assumptions straight back in her face but Harry had had enough. He was sick of these people judging Sirius and by extension his life with Sirius when they knew nothing of his childhood and life, and then they sat their saying awful things about the only person who loved him and the one person he loved as a father.
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"Sirius has never abused me!" he cried out suddenly. The whole Alley which had been filled with mutterings at the confrontation before them fell silent at his words. Trembling slightly as he realised everyone's attention was focussed solely on him he spoke once more, "Sirius has been nothing but kind and loving ever since I came to live with him." He added the last bit so quietly only Sirius managed to catch the words, "He loves me like I was his son," Tears sprang into Sirius's eyes at his godson's words and he battled with them to prevent them from falling. "Come on Harry," he said quietly as he started to move through the mass of witches and wizards once again, thinking hard.
Discover moreScience Fiction & FantasyMyth & FolkloreFamily LawFan FictionApp download campaignsThe words Harry had spoken had been so quiet he wasn't sure he was meant to have heard them, in fact as he thought about it he came to the realisation he almost certainly wasn't supposed to. He was well aware that he regarded Harry like his own child and loved him like Harry was his son but at the same time he was painfully aware that he wasn't. First and foremost he was James's son and he felt almost as if he had stolen Harry, because if it wasn't for his stupid mistake the Potters would be alive and Harry would have his real father. He couldn't help but feel joy that Harry accepted his love but at the same time he feared that he would replace James, and that was something he could never do.
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During his musings they had made their way down the rest of the Alley and reached the marble steps of Gringotts bank. Shaking away his thoughts, he pulled himself together and entered the bank. He was respected by the Goblin Nation partially because he spoke their language but mainly because during the first Blood War with Voldemort he and James had received word that the Death Eaters had taken some goblins and wizards prisoner. True to form both of them had gone to the rescue and in the ensuing fire fight he had managed to save Ragnok, then the heir to the goblin nation, from a curse that would have likely killed him. That particular act had made the goblins respect him not only as a warrior but it had also created an honour debt between the goblins and himself. James had also received some of the respect, whilst not at the level of Sirius's, he had also gained a fairly large measure of respect and as such he knew Harry as both his godson and a Potter would be watched extremely closely in the coming meeting.
Discover moreE-BooksDesksScience Fiction & Fantasy BooksLanguage ResourcesScience Fiction & Fantasy FilmsThey entered the bank and Sirius spoke quietly to a goblin in their own language for a few moments before the teller nodded and rang a small bell. He smiled as he saw Harry follow the conversation with interest, he had begun to teach his godson the language after he had told him the account and had started preparing him for his next meeting with the goblins. Whilst Harry still wasn't a very good speaker, he could follow a conversation well and Sirius thought he was doing very well for somebody who had only been learning for a fortnight, especially considering how difficult the language was to master.
A small goblin guide appeared behind the teller's desk, bowing and greeting them in the goblin tongue, Sirius replied and Harry followed suit although it had to be said his reply was much more hesitant than Sirius's. Keeping his hand firmly placed on his godson, shoulder they followed the goblin into the depths of the bank. A few minutes later, having walked down a stretch of tunnels that twisted and turned just as crazily as the cart tracks they arrived at a small office door. As the goblin opened it, Harry shot Sirius a quick look that plainly asked what was he supposed to do? Titling his head slightly towards the open door, Sirius pushed him forwards gently, encouraging him to enter. Trusting his godfather's judgement Harry stepped through the door followed closely by Sirius.
The room they entered was typical of goblin architecture. The walls were rough stone, decorated by carvings and the floor was made from slabs of stone although the presence of several large skin rugs broke the monotony. The Goblin Sharpclaw sat behind a burnished stone desk upon which were pilled feet of parchment, the walls behind him contained stone shelves which were again filled with reams of parchment.
Remembering his manners Harry bowed and spoke the greetings in the goblin tongue and was rewarded by Sharpclaw inclining his head and returning the greeting. His godfather spoke with Sharpclaw for a few moments but Harry soon lost track of the conversation, there were too many words and phrases he didn't understand but thankfully after a few moments Sirius reverted to English, "I humbly request that the rest of this session is spoken in English as my godson is new to the Goblin Language and the business we must discuss is pertinent to him, so understanding is needed on both sides for the optimum profit."
"Of course Sirius," Sharpclaw responded, "Now if you would enlighten me on this business."
"Willingly old friend. Firstly I would like a full accounting of the Potter Vaults and Investments so the financial affairs of my godson can be managed properly and so that my godson can become familiar with his accounts." The goblin nodded and made several quick notes on a piece of parchment. Suddenly something Sirius had said registered with Harry, "What do you mean Vaults?" he blurted out, "I only have one." Both his godfather and the goblin turned towards him in confusion,
"You have a trust vault, the family vault which stores items and a main monetary vault Harry," Sirius explained slightly perplexed, "But surely you were told about this on your eleventh birthday, or failing that the first time you entered the bank." But Harry was shaking his head emphatically,
Discover moreAuthor toolsWriting workshopsMobile user analyticsFan fiction booksAuthor resources"I've never been aware that I have more than one vault. I thought what must be my trust vault was my only vault." A frown creased Sharpclaw's forehead,
"But what about your monthly statements, they have been..." Harry was shaking his head even before the goblin had finished his statement. Sirius and Sharpclaw exchanged glances and eventually the goblin spoke, "This is most irregular, it seems knowledge of your heritage and financial standing has been denied you Mr Potter Heir Apparent. Rest assured the bank will conduct a thorough investigation and I will make finding the required information a priority Lord Black." Harry opened his mouth to ask another question, this time over the use of the words 'Heir Apparent' but Sirius sent a glance at him telling him to stay quiet and obediently he closed his mouth. He would ask his godfather later.
"Secondly," the animagus continued, "I would like to speak to the goblins concerning a matter of revenge." At this statement Sharpclaw placed his quill onto his desk and leaned forward, an almost feral smile spreading slowly over his features. If it hadn't been for the fact he was with his godfather and he knew Sirius would never hurt him in any way he would have been quite alarmed and even as it was he was more than a little unsettled. "The consequences of my unfortunate incarcament were far reaching Sharpclaw and the consequence for my godson and heir were particularly severe."
Harry sat frozen, his eyes staring out but he wasn't seeing anything. Sirius had warned him that one of the pieces of business in the bank was to do with the Dursley's treatment of him and involving the goblins but he wished they didn't have to know. It was bad enough that Sirius was aware of what had happened, he didn't want others to know too but he would do anything for his godfather, so when Sirius had suggested the bank he hadn't raised more than token protests but still he hated it. Sirius placed an arm around his shoulders and pulled him towards him slightly, giving the reassurance he desired. Harry relaxed slightly, his stiff posture releasing somewhat. Not for the first time Harry wondered if his godfather could read his mind, the animagus always seemed to know when he needed comfort.
Sharpclaw had watched the interaction with narrowed eyes. Sighing Sirius continued, "He was placed with his muggle relatives and they hurt him." The goblin's eyes narrowed into virtual slits. Despite the fact the goblins were a proud, warlike race with scarcely veiled contempt for the vast majority of wizards they were devoted to their children and child abuse was the ultimate crime in their eyes.
Sharpclaw's eyes bored into Sirius's and he made a motion with one hand indicating that the man should continue. "When I went to collect him I found him in the cupboard under the stairs and there was evidence that he had stayed there for most of his childhood. Furthermore he had been starved and it was evident his uncle had beaten him frequently. And I would seek the goblin's assistance in this matter of revenge against the Dursley family." The goblin's breath hissed between his teeth.
"Have you committed any acts of revenge already?" he demanded sharply. When Sirius replied with the negative he barked out a single question, "Why?"
Harry felt Sirius's arm tighten, "Because Harry had been hurt and is still ill as a result of their abuse and neglect and my priority was and will always be Harry." Harry felt a warm feeling rise up in him. Although he was aware of his godfather's love for him, he was still extremely insecure about his position in Sirius's life and what that love actually meant. The declaration Harry would always be his godfather's priority felt wonderful. He still wasn't used to adults actually caring and Sirius words reinforced that point. Sharpclaw nodded in something that looked like approval. "What did you have in mind Sirius?"
A grin almost a vicious as the goblin's spread across Sirius's features, "I thought I should use my unique position with the Goblin Nation to try the Dursley's for Child Abuse and Neglect under goblin law, seeing as my godson is not only my heir, but James Potter's as well. I know the force of the law in cases like this is ... severe to say the least." A matching grin had spread across Sharpclaw's face.
"That is definitely a good idea my friend. I would love to take a blade to those vermin but I agree a life sentence in the mines of Kirth-Sevn would be a more apt punishment and satisfying revenge." His faze turned towards Harry and to his surprise he saw the features soften slightly, "Would Mr Potter consent to a scanning to reveal the damage? Such information would be invaluable in the actual trial." Harry glanced up at his godfather, his question clear in his eyes. Sirius smiled and nodded, his arm giving his shoulders a slight squeeze, encouraging him to give his consent. Taking a deep breath he nodded and immediately a small goblin appeared in the room and Sharpclaw barked out some instructions which sent the younger goblin scurrying away.
As they waited for the goblin to return with the healers Sharpclaw and Sirius conversed animatedly whilst Harry sat silent, following their conversation to the best of his ability but also worrying about the upcoming event. He had no clue what they would find and he wanted to get it over with and to escape the bank. Sirius half turned and sent him a warm smile. Harry smiled back, wondering yet again how his godfather had such an accurate read on his mood.
A few minutes later an older goblin, this one obviously female entered. After conversing with Sharpclaw for a moment she motioned for Harry to stand. Accustomed to obeying he complied instantly and the moment he was on his feet the goblin waved her hand across his body several times and he felt a rush of magic sweep him. A glowing globe appeared in the goblin's outstretched hand, pulsating and emitting light in what seemed to be nothing more than random bursts to Harry. However he clearly saw the goblin's eyes widen and she spun to face Sharpclaw and Sirius. "Aside from the obvious signs of prolonged neglect, starvation and physical abuse were either of you aware this child has half of his magic bound?" She demanded.
Blank shock showed itself on Sirius's face and he was at Harry's side in an instant. At the goblin's glare he answered, "James put a binding on Harry as an infant. His accidental magic was so strong that it posed a danger to everyone in the household, but that should have been removed when he turned eleven and received his first wand." The goblin regarded him for a moment before nodding slowly,
"The binding is certainly what I would expect for a childhood binding and judging by your words it should be released immediately. Do I have your permission to do so?" Sirius gave his consent immediately and Harry followed suit. He felt numb. How could half his magic be bound? Surely someone would have known, would have realised that something was different, something was wrong. He was only dimly aware that the female goblin had started a long series of incantations and his entire body tingled at the rush of magic. Slowly the words rose to a crescendo and his core was finally unbound. Nobody was prepared for what happened next.
Raw magic surged outwards, exploding from him. Nothing was spared as it ripped through the office, throwing desk, parchment, human and goblin into the air with abandon. After a moment the wave passed and Harry slumped forwards, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of magic that he had released. Sirius caught him just before he hit the floor, holding him upright, slightly shocked at the power his godson had displayed.
Frantic green eyes came up to meet his, "Is everyone alright? Did I hurt anyone? Are the goblins okay?" The questions tumbled from Harry's mouth and having no answer he turned both himself and the teen so they could see the rest of the office. He felt his godson sigh in relief when he saw that neither goblin had sustained any damage, that relied however was short lived when Harry took in the destruction that littered the office. Immediately he began apologising and would have rushed to help the goblins had Sirius not kept a tight grip on him, correctly deducing that he would fall if he let go.
Harry was horror struck as his eyes took in the devastation that littered the office. Thankfully nobody had been hurt but the destruction was immense and he instantly began apologising. His actions had destroyed the office of a high ranking goblin, this wasn't just a single shelf depositing its contents in the sitting room, this was much worse. He was certain Sirius would punish him when he got home but he was also acutely aware he had just done magic on goblin territory which breeched several treaties. Therefore he was extremely startled when both goblins started laughing.
Sirius raised a single eyebrow in the direction of his account manager, still keeping a firm hold on Harry. Still chortling Sharpclaw managed to reply, "We should have warned you that such an act always releases a bout of accidental magic." Sardonic eyes surveyed the destruction that covered his office, "It is extremely impressive what this was able to accomplish however, and I'm sure Mr Potter will be a formidable wizard." Suddenly Sharpclaw smiled, "And not many wizards would care for the life of a goblin or for the damage to a goblin's property. Like father like son, like godfather, like godson." He turned towards Sirius, his expression serious, "That is a very special child you have there, my friend."
Sirius smiled and ruffled Harry's hair with his free hand, "I know."
Amelia Bones slammed the reports down onto her desk in frustration. A couple of aurors had just come back from their patrol in Diagon Alley and had reported the confrontation between Sirius Black and a member of the public concerning Harry Potter. Allegations of abuse were very hard to ignore, particularly as the aurors had also reported that the boy was very thin. She knew she had gone out on a limb giving Lord Black the ministry's support for the custody of Harry Potter and she knew she had to get the situation resolved as soon as possible. Sighing she asked Kingsley to go into the Alley and wait outside Gringotts to bring the pair to her office. Normally she would have given the job to a less experienced auror; after all he wasn't going to arrest them but she knew this situation required a lot of tact and Kingsley was the only person she trusted to do this without creating a scene.
Sirius saw Kingsley the instant they left the bank. He was well aware he had been one of the aurors investigating his case and his eyes narrowed as he slipped through the crowds to intercept them. He guessed that news of the earlier confrontation had got back to Amelia and Kingsley had been sent to bring them to the ministry for a chat. Inwardly he thanked her that she had sent Kingsley instead of younger aurors like Dawlish. Kingsley could be counted on to be discreet and not make a scene, something he was extremely thankful for, especially considering the fact he had Harry with him. He knew Harry would react very strongly if he thought his godfather was going to be taken away, and whilst he knew how reasonable Amelia was Harry didn't, and now his core had been unbound he was aware it was likely accidental magic would occur if Harry felt that he was threatened.
Kingsley caught up to them part way down the Alley. "Lord Black," he spoke quietly, so the attention of the rest of the Alley wasn't drawn, "Madam Bones would like both you and Mr Potter to come with me to the Ministry. Reports of abuse have been coming in, particularly from the earlier confrontation and we need to investigate." Sirius felt Harry freeze as he heard Kingsley's words.
"No, you can't, you can't. Sirius would never hurt me. There's no abuse. Don't take him away, please, please," His godson's words tumbled over each other and the animagus could clearly see the terror in his pup's eyes. Kingsley chose that moment to speak again, "You aren't under arrest but I need the pair of you to come with me Lord Black." Sirius felt Harry begin to shake and press against his side, staring up at Kingsley with fear filled eyes,
"I won't let you, you can't take him away. Not now. Not when I finally have somebody who cares for me. You can't, you can't." Harry's voice was rising and people were beginning to turn and face them once more. The ground below them started to shake and Sirius could feel magic grow thick in the air. Harry was seconds away from a huge burst of accidental magic. His attention firmly fixed on his godson, Sirius pulled the boy into a tight hug, trying to calm him before he destroyed part of the Alley. He felt Harry cling to him and in the tight grip he could feel all of the terror Harry felt at them being forced to separate. "It's alright Harry, they won't take me away," he murmured again and again.
Slowly he felt Harry relax and go limp in his grip as the magic swirled and gradually settled, clearing the air. Sirius glanced up at Kingsley and saw the shock on the man's face. "We'll come," he said quietly and he received Kingsley's nod in acknowledgement although he noted the auror was regarding Harry with narrowed eyes. They started walking once more although he noticed Harry stayed as close to him as possible and he kept an arm fixed around his godson's shoulders, reassuring him that he was still safe, and preventing further outbursts of accidental magic.
Amelia looked up as Kingsley entered her office followed by Lord Black and Harry Potter. The first thing she noticed was that the teen was almost cowering against the older wizard and was sticking as close to him as his own shadow. Lord Black was holding Potter tightly against him and she could see that it was only the presence of the wizard's arm on his shoulders that was keeping the boy calm. She saw the teen's eyes widen as he realised he was in the office of the Head of the DMLE and she could clearly see the fear there. She frowned slightly as she considered it, was the fear of the man holding him or was the fear to do with where he was? Kingsley spoke to her for a few moments, explaining what had happened in the Alley and her eyebrows rose. It was obvious the boy had done accidental magic and was clearly frightened of being separated from Lord Black. Furthermore the way Black had comforted him wasn't the sort of action one expected from an abuser. There was definitely more to the story.
She gestured for them to take a seat, noting how the teen pulled his chair over so he was as close to his godfather as possible. She also saw how the boy's uneasy gaze flashed up to meet his godfather's and Black smiled gently in response, causing the boy to relax slightly, leaning against his godfather's side. She started to speak but before she could finish her first question Harry spoke, "Sirius hasn't hurt me, he wouldn't hurt me. Please don't take him away, please, please. I can't go back to my relatives, I can't. Please don't arrest him, he's done nothing wrong, please." The pleading voice cut through her thoughts and she was struck by how heartfelt and childlike the plea was. She had dealt with abused children in her earlier years on the force and as she saw Black reach over and pull the boy into a loose hug her mind flashed back to a case she had dealt with early in her career.
She had been following up on a placement of a childafter they had rescued her from an abusive home and although the girl was in her second year at Hogwarts at the time she could clearly remember the pleading in her voice and the fear in her eyes as she had gone to speak with the foster parents. The girl had honestly believed they had come to separate her from her new family and had been absolutely terrified of losing the only people who had ever loved her. Seeing that self same fear in the boy's eyes and watching his godfather comfort him she knew beyond a doubt it was the same situation.
Speaking in the same tone she had used in those situations she turned to the boy, "I'm not going to take you away from Sirius Harry; I just want to ask some questions okay?" She couldn't help but smile at the relief and joy that poured off the teen although she noticed he still stayed extremely close to Black. "Do you like living with Sirius?" The joy in his face and voice was answer enough and they quickly made their way through the lists of questions she had.
Very quickly they had finished and Amelia was reeling with the information she had gained. She now was completely certain her decision to allow Black custody was the right one. The boy adored his godfather and Lord Black obviously loved him. The stories of Potter's treatment and the dead accepting voice he had spoken in tore at her heart and made her blood boil. She was about to bring the full force of Wizarding Law to bear on the Dursleys when Black assured her that they were already going to be dealt with by the goblins. She couldn't help but shudder, whatever the goblins would do to them would be worse than Azkaban. Soon they were finished and as they stood up to leave Black turned and addressed her, "I would appreciate it if the details of his past treatment didn't make their way into the media, his life is hard enough as it is. On the same note it might be worth telling people I have been evaluated and found to be a suitable guardian." She nodded in acknowledgment as the two left her office before finally giving in and having a large firewhiskey.
Sirius glanced down in concern as they reached home. Harry had been extremely quiet as they had left the ministry and gone home and Sirius was aware that his godson hadn't left his side once since meeting Kingsley in the Alley. As they exited the floo Harry had clung onto him and his grip wasn't easing. Making his way over to the sofa he sank down into it and gentle pulled the teen into an embrace. He felt Harry's arms go round him and hold him in a desperate grip as his godson buried his face in his shirt. His godson began to shake with sobs and he felt wetness begin to seep through the fabric. Tenderly he rubbed the teen's back with his free hand and gradually he felt Harry relax in his arms, the tears slowly ceasing. "What's the matter pup?" He asked softly, when he judged Harry was coherent enough to answer.
"I thought they would take you away. I can't lose you now," he said, his voice cracking. Sirius tightened his grip and held him close,
"I'm not going anywhere Harry. They won't take me away; you don't have to worry about that."
"I know," Harry finally admitted, "But I was scared," he added in a small voice, "It's just, everyone who ever loved me was taken away. I was terrified they would take you too." Tears prickled in the corner of his eye as he realised Harry was talking about his parents. Before he had come into Harry's life they were the only people who had loved him and all he had known was that they were taken away. It was only natural then that he believed that Sirius would be taken as well and it was obvious that thought filled him with terror. "Look at me pup," he commanded, his voice soft. Slowly tear-bright emerald eyes rose to meet his, "I know you're scared but I promise you I will be there for you. I will not leave you." Tightening his arms he felt Harry relax against him, "I'm here now and I know it will take time for you to believe me but I will always be there for you, never doubt that."
Harry stayed curled up in his godfather's embrace for several more minutes before finally releasing his grip. "Thank you," he murmured. Sirius reached up to ruffle his hair, "Anytime pup, anytime."