Standoff on Privet Drive, Part 2/2
Dumbledore kept a calm expression as he observed Sally. Sirius, on the other hand, remained completely silent, lips pressed together, not letting out even a single breath.
Moody glanced at her from the corner of his eye and, for a brief moment, allowed himself a faint smile, as if silently acknowledging the woman's fierceness.
"Relax, no one is going to take your son away," Dumbledore began in a conciliatory tone. "But Sirius, as his godfather, has the same rights. Perhaps not to raise him, but at least…"
Before he could finish, his eyes widened in sudden surprise; for the first time, the serenity on his face crumbled. He felt something behind him—an ominous presence sliding down his back.
Sirius sensed it too, as did Moody. Both turned toward Sally… but there was nothing there. Then, swiftly, they spun around again—and froze.
Behind Sally, resting casually against the sofa, stood a red-haired woman who had appeared out of thin air, as if the air itself had woven her into existence.
"Well… I'm his godmother," the newcomer said in a soft yet commanding voice. "So I suppose that gives me even more right than you."
Morgana regarded them with a faintly mocking smile, her eyes gleaming with a mix of charm and danger.
Even Sally's allies—Adrien and Dorien—adopted serious stances at the woman's sudden appearance. By reflex, their hands drifted toward the hilts of their swords, though they didn't draw them. Mark, on the other hand, froze completely, too afraid even to turn around and face her.
Moody gripped his staff tightly, a chill running down his spine. He was certain that if he moved it even an inch, it would mean his end.
Morgana's gaze shifted to Dumbledore, studying him with interest.
"Hmm… you really do dress like him. That's quite amusing," she remarked with a mischievous smile. Then she turned her head toward Mark, still standing near Sally. "But if we're talking about resemblances… you're his spitting image."
Mark swallowed hard, unable to respond. He could barely breathe under her piercing stare.
"Morgana, did you leave the children alone?" Sally asked, struggling to remain composed.
"Oh, no. Well… it seems Fleamont and Euphemia heard about the problem and asked me to come mediate," Morgana said calmly, pointing toward the door.
Through it entered Percy and Harry, carrying between them the large portrait of the Potters.
Sirius, who hadn't been able to tear his eyes away from Morgana since her arrival, tensed even more at the mention of those names. His breath caught in his throat; then he turned slowly toward the children and froze in disbelief.
There they were. Harry… and two people he knew all too well—the very ones who had taken him in when his own family had cast him aside: Fleamont and Euphemia Potter.
"When are you not causing trouble?" said Fleamont with his characteristic, teasing grin.
"You've really grown, Siri," added Euphemia fondly, her voice filled with that same unconditional affection she had once given him.
Harry and Percy, however, still watched Sirius with suspicion.
Sirius's eyes grew slightly red as memories of the past flooded his mind. He stood abruptly, trembling.
"Uncle… Aunt… I'm so sorry. I couldn't protect James," he managed to say before falling to his knees before the portrait, tears streaming down his face.
Dumbledore cast one last glance at Morgana before focusing on the Potter couple. He exhaled softly.
"So, it seems everything will be resolved more quickly… that's good," he murmured with an almost resigned smile. "It's hard to play the mediator without ending up the enemy of at least one side."
In truth, he only wanted to help Sirius—his former student and old acquaintance. But as he looked at Sally, a mother so firm and fiercely protective, he realized she was not someone from whom anything could be taken. Still, he knew Harry belonged to the magical world—or at least, that's what he had believed until now.
The presence of Morgana, that figure shrouded in ancient power, and the fact that Sally was under the protection of the Pendragon Knights, complicated matters far more than he had anticipated.
Harry and Percy looked briefly at Sirius before setting the portrait down against the wall and running toward their mother. Mark and Adrien immediately stepped aside to make room, though Mark seemed on the verge of bolting—the red-haired woman's gaze was fixed on him like that of a serpent watching a small mouse, and all his usual arrogance had vanished.
"The kidnapper is crying," Percy remarked, glancing toward Sirius.
"A crying kidnapper?" said Harry, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Sirius kneeling before his grandparents.
Fleamont and Euphemia exchanged a look filled with both sorrow and faint joy.
"Don't worry, dear. We feel it too," Euphemia said softly.
Sirius looked up, confused.
"You also lost your other half—your brother, your best friend—and you never even got to say goodbye properly. We're only memories in a portrait," she added tenderly.
Those words completely broke him. Sirius began to weep again, unable to hold back.
Fleamont watched him gently, sighing before turning his gaze toward Harry and Percy.
"Harry, he's your godfather—the one we told you so much about," he said with a warm smile.
"Kidnapper?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes.
Fleamont let out a small chuckle. "I don't think he's a kidnapper. Probably just a misunderstanding… though, to be fair, he can be a bit clumsy."
"Hmm." Harry looked at him with distrust, while Sirius lifted his head just a few inches, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"But in Grandpa's stories, he was a bully. We don't like bullies. Neither Percy nor I," said Harry, shaking his head. Percy, beside him, nodded seriously in agreement.
Sirius looked as if the words had struck him like a dagger. His body trembled, nearly collapsing to the floor.
Meanwhile, everyone else in the room watched the scene in silence, not daring to interrupt.
Fleamont tried to hold back his laughter, though his wife gave him a light smack on the shoulder to keep him composed.
"Well, Sirius, you'll have to work quite hard to earn the favor of your godson… and his brother," he said with obvious amusement. "After all, they're very close. And you'll also need to win over their teachers, since each of them could turn you into something truly horrible if you make them angry."
His smile carried both humor and a hint of poetic justice; it seemed he was enjoying the bit of karma that had fallen upon Sirius.
Euphemia, however, spoke with firm resolve. "Sirius, leave Harry with Sally. It's the safest place he could be. She is his mother… and she always will be. Accept it."
Sirius lowered his gaze. His eyes reflected a storm of emotions—frustration, helplessness, and resignation. Deep down, he knew Euphemia was right. And no matter how much it hurt, there was nothing he could do. Harry wouldn't want to go with him. If he were still with the Dursleys, Sirius would have taken him without hesitation—but that was no longer possible.
"All right." He walked slowly toward Sally. "I'm sorry for starting off on the wrong foot. For many years, I dreamed of something that seemed impossible, and when I finally had it before me… I ruined it." He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Sirius Orion Black, James Potter's best friend and your son's godfather. I hope you'll give me the chance to be part of his life."
His voice was sincere, and in his expression there was a quiet plea for understanding.
Sally, in turn, calmed down a bit. She glanced toward Harry, who didn't seem particularly interested; he and Percy were near their Aunt Mor, playing with a focus that contrasted sharply with the lingering tension in the room.
"As long as you do things properly, I'll have no problem with you being part of his life," she replied serenely.
Sirius released a long sigh, almost of relief. Then he glanced toward Mor, as if seeking some acknowledgment—or at least a truce. She looked at him sideways but ignored him completely, turning her attention back to the children, playing cheerfully as though the rest of the world didn't exist.
"She's Mor, my children's godmother… and their magic teacher," Sally explained calmly, though she didn't elaborate further. Then she turned toward Adrien, Mark, and Dorien. "And these are my coworkers. I have an arrangement with them to protect my children. That's why they're here."
As she spoke, she realized those three men had no real obligation to stay—but they had, regardless. And that, somehow, gave her peace of mind.
Upon hearing this, Dumbledore frowned slightly. "Protect her children? Both of them?" he muttered softly, a trace of seriousness in his tone. He glanced briefly at Percy, sensing there was something he didn't fully understand… but quickly dismissed the thought. Perhaps Sally only meant ordinary protection.
"Well, it seems this strange day has finally come to an end," commented Moody as he adjusted his coat, clearly eager to leave. "If there's no further danger, I'll take my leave."
He cast one last glance toward Mor—but for some reason, his magical eye seemed to avoid her entirely, as if her very presence interfered with its vision.
"Yes, the matters left to settle now are family affairs," added Dumbledore with a slight nod before standing up. "It's been a pleasure meeting you all." He then looked toward the two children, who were watching him curiously. "Perhaps we'll meet again when you become Hogwarts students. It will be interesting to have two such… lively young ones around."
He smiled warmly before turning to leave. The children followed him with their eyes, both fascinated and intrigued.
Mrs. Figg quickly rose to follow him.
When they stepped outside, Dumbledore paused on the porch and turned to her calmly.
"What really happened, Arabella?" he asked in a low tone, though his curiosity was clear.
She tensed. "You… you told me to make sure he grew up well and close to his relatives. And I did. He grew up healthy and happy—and he didn't have to stay with those awful people." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her nerves.
Dumbledore gave a tired smile. "It's all right. You did well. I didn't imagine things would turn out this way. I suppose age is making me a bit more senile."
Then he lifted his gaze toward the night sky and murmured softly, "The only thing that worries me… is that unknown woman."
He shook his head slowly, returning to his usual calm demeanor. For him, what truly mattered was that Harry was safe—and for now, he was.
With that thought, the old wizard walked away with a serene stride, as though this unexpected turn of fate had not disturbed his peace in the slightest.
…
N/A: I hope this part didn't feel too rushed. I just wanted to start moving things toward Hogwarts already.