Harry Potter and The Secret of The Heirs

Chapter Four

The Revelations of Sirius

Harry awoke the next morning to the sun shining in his window. He had forgotten where he was for a while; he'd never slept in a bed quite so spacious before. Then he remembered the long night travelling and the sign on the door. The thought of it brought a smile to his face. He went and opened his trunk to locate some clothes and was pleasantly surprised to see they were no longer in his trunk. He guessed that Sirius must have unpacked them last night. He decided to wander around the house while he waited for Sirius to wake up.

The house was slightly larger than it had appeared from the outside. Harry sensed it must be magically enhanced somehow. He could sense that Sirius hadn't changed much, since he had returned there. It looked like a bachelor pad that had been originally set up by his mother then changed as much as possible, so the only resemblance was the furniture. There were a few photographs hidden in a corner. They were of Sirius and James, or Sirius with Lily and James, or ones with James and Remus, which also looked like Peter had been torn out of them, or Sirius with some girl Harry hadn't seen before. She looked vaguely familiar, and Harry wondered if she had been the girl from the night of the hearing. He had been wondering who she was, but he felt that if Sirius wanted to tell him he would.

Finally Sirius emerged from his room. He led Harry downstairs to the kitchen, where a little house-elf popped out from underneath the table.

'Winky?' Harry asked in surprise.

'Yes, Master Harry,' she said. 'I is here now. Dumbledore has been so kind to give me to Mr Black. He is too kind to Winky after Mr Crouch. Winky never has to punish herself anymore and she does not have to drink lots of Butterbeer to make herself feel better.'

Harry turned and looked at Sirius.

'You have a house-elf?' he asked, slightly confused. 'Don't they normally come with old wizarding places?'

Sirius laughed but replied quickly. 'Well I'm kind of doing Winky a favour, you see - she wanted to get away from Dobby, so Dumbledore gave her to me. I pay her in little gifts, so she's happy, and I'm happy because I don't have to do any cleaning. Now what have we got for breakfast Winky?'

Winky brought out some omelettes she had prepared especially for Harry's arrival. They were delicious, far better than anything Petunia had ever prepared for him. Harry supposed that Winky's cooking would have had to be good, given that she had been the Crouch's house-elf.

After breakfast Sirius led him into the lounge room.

'Okay, Harry, it's time we had a talk,' Sirius said. Harry began to say something but Sirius interrupted. 'First, I just want you to listen to me, take in everything I've got to say and then you can feel free to ask me any questions. Okay?'

Harry nodded his head.

Sirius began his explanation.

'Okay. I'll start with the hearing. I'm not explaining what happened in the Veil. It's not that I don't want to Harry, it's simply that I can't.' Sirius looked almost pale and worn out as he said that. Harry was curious to know what had happened, however he decided not to push the subject.

'The hearing's probably the easiest place to start. I know you were there, but there are still some things I need to explain. Peter wasn't questioned for a reason. They had tried everything to get him to confess everything. He was still maintaining that I had been James and Lily's secret keeper and he had transformed into a rat to save himself. They tried everything and he still would not confess. In fact when he had the serum he didn't talk at all. They had to revert to using Veritaserum on him to tell him to tell the truth. The stupid git was never very good at lying. He used to lie by omission. They're not allowed to do that in a courtroom because they can't guarantee that the person is actually given Veritaserum. It's too easy for some to replace it. So that is why he wasn't questioned. Besides, all they needed to prove was that he was still alive. Given that they had enough evidence to convict him, they sentenced him to life in Azkaban. Unfortunately however; while they were taking Peter to Azkaban he transformed and escaped. Someone forgot to warn the Dementors that he was a rat Animagus.'

The look on Harry's face was that of disbelief. They had gone to a lot of trouble to capture Wormtail; in fact, Harry had almost died. Harry couldn't believe that he had escaped. He began to ask how they could have let that happen, however Sirius interrupted again.

'Hold on a minute Harry, he didn't get very far,' said Sirius in a somewhat exhausted way. 'The Dementors captured him and gave him the Kiss. You don't have to worry about him anymore. He won't be giving us any more problems; mind you, I thought that he might not have enough of a soul left to be affected; however Dumbledore has informed me that he is finished. So Harry, you shouldn't have any more visions with Wormtail in them, so if you do, Harry, you should tell someone straightaway, okay, because that means something is definitely wrong.'

Harry nodded. He seemed to understand that he was an integral component of the war against Voldemort because Voldemort allowed him to see certain things although now that Voldemort had used Legilimency on Harry's thoughts. However Harry still did see things at times when Voldemort let his guard down.

'Okay, that's Peter dealt with,' said Sirius sighing.

'Hang on, Sirius,' Harry interrupted. 'In the vision I had that night, I didn't see Wormtail, I saw Voldemort. He was clutching his heart in agony. It was like part of him was dying. I keep seeing it every time I close my eyes and try to sleep.'

Sirius nodded.

'You know that you're linked to Voldemort through your scar, Harry, and Voldemort would be angered at Peter's betrayal. Harry, you have to realise that he will probably want revenge, and because we were instrumental in Wormtail's downfall, he will probably come after us. For that reason, I am going to keep my eyes on you throughout the year. I know you're adventurous - in fact you and Ron are very much like your father and I, but I don't want you taking stupid risks, like you did when we went after Peter. You're very important to a lot of people and we don't want to lose you for doing something trivial. Promise, Harry?'

Harry turned and looked at Sirius, and after what appeared to be careful deliberation he spoke.

'Sirius, I can't promise that. I know I'm impulsive - look at what happened the night that I first met you. What I can promise is that I won't go looking for trouble, but I won't stand still and let it find me either.'

Sirius replied,

'If that's the best that you can promise me, then I will have to accept it. But try not to do anything stupid. Voldemort has been dangerously quiet for the past couple of years. I'm certain he's waiting for the right time to strike.'

Sirius rubbed his eyes. Harry could sense that he was thinking about Peter.

'Did you ever think that he would be the one to betray you?' asked Harry.

Sirius ran his fingers through his hair before he answered Harry's question.

'I doubt anyone would have ever thought Peter had the guts to do anything like that,' said Sirius. 'Peter was never as confident, never sure of himself. He was always one step behind us. He was right when he said that he was never brave like James and I. I often wondered why the sorting hat put him in Gryffindor. Yet his actions over the last seventeen years have shown some courage. I asked your parents to change to him because nobody would suspect him to be their Secret Keeper. The thought of Peter being the traitor was just inconceivable.'

Silence filled the room. Harry felt the hatred he had for Peter rise up inside him just as it always did when he thought of him. Somehow to Harry, a Dementor's Kiss had not been sufficient punishment.

'You know the European Cup is beginning in January, don't you?'

Harry looked up at Sirius and nodded, still slightly emerged in his thoughts of Wormtail.

'Well, at the moment, they're thinking of holding it at Hogwarts because it's considered much safer than the other possible venues. It's Scotland's turn to host, you see, and while the Pride's home ground is spectacular, it's not very safe from Voldemort or his Death Eaters. I'm fairly sure that this year will not pass without further devastation. So, getting away from Voldemort, I am going to teach at Hogwarts this year. That way, I'll be able to keep an eye on you and Dumbledore can keep an eye on me. That way we both should be able to stay out of trouble.'

'What are you going to teach? Defence against the Dark Arts?' Harry enquired curiously. To be honest the thought of Sirius being a teacher was almost laughable to Harry. He could just imagine Sirius trying to deal with "disruptions".

'Well to be honest, Harry, teaching will be just a front to keep down suspicions,' Sirius replied. 'That way, to the Ministry and the Death Eaters, which in some cases could be the same thing, I have a legitimate job that keeps me occupied, but I'll be doing a lot of undercover work with Dumbledore's operatives. So I'll be teaching a little Transfiguration, as McGonagall's workload has increased. To those of age there's the option of Apparition lessons, given that the old teacher, Professor Markwell is dead; and to a selected few, I'll be giving private Animagus training. But that one is top secret Harry, only the select few will know. I've registered my form now that I've been freed because it's better that everyone knows and that way I'll have a legitimate job. By the way, Harry, you'll be of age soon, and I'm sure you'll want to have a big celebration, as every wizard should. Have you given any thoughts as to what you want to do for your party? Of course we'll have to have the house reconnected to the Floo network for the day, but given the number of wizards that will be around, it should be quite safe.'

Harry was shocked. No one had ever thrown him a party before, and he hadn't even given it a thought. Eventually he spoke up.

'Sirius, to be honest, I've never had a birthday party before, so maybe you should decide what's best. I think I want a wizarding party, if there is such a thing.'

Sirius chuckled.

'Of course you've had a party, Harry,' he said as he laughed. 'I've got some photos of me and my godson on his first birthday that Lily sent me. I'll find them for you in a little while. And of course there's such a thing as a wizarding party. You come up with a guest list, as big as you like, and I'll add a few important people that you should invite onto the list, and we'll have a party to rival the Halloween Feast at Hogwarts. Besides, it'll be a triple celebration really: me being freed, you coming to live with me, and you coming of age. Wow, the wizarding world won't know what hit them.'

Harry laughed with a big grin on his face. Then he wondered who the important people he should invite were. Would they be friends of his parents, or his grandparents, or would they be Sirius's friends, like that witch who was snogging him at the hearing?

Harry looked up. Sirius had begun talking again.

'Now, Harry, I know there's still lots you don't know about, and in time you'll have to be told everything. It's just that now is probably not the best time to do it. I know that you are bursting with questions about your parents, and while I'll try to answer them as best I can, you need to appreciate that there are times when I just don't need the questions asked, and there are some questions that will be quite uncomfortable for me to answer. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but if I tell you that now, you'll understand later if I don't answer.' The seriousness of Sirius's tone faded. 'I hope you'll be happy here, Harry. I want more than anything for you to be happy, as I know you've suffered so much already. Now if there is anything troubling you, now's the time to bring it up. Tell me more about this vision.'

Harry thought long and hard before he spoke. He chose his words carefully.

'The night of the hearing was when it began,' Harry said. 'My scar was burning in pain. I saw Voldemort. He looked angry. Then suddenly he was clutching at his stomach in agony. He looked like a part of him was dying. Then everything blacked out and all there was, was the sound of a man screaming. That was how it started. Now, before Voldemort clutches at himself in pain, I can hear the sound of bells. Like church bells, but only they sound more morbid. Does that mean that he's near some really weird bells?'

Sirius thought carefully before he answered.

'Few would know, Harry,' he said, 'the legend of the tolling bells near Azkaban. I discovered this when I escaped and am not completely convinced that I fully understand it. On the mainland, there is a small village. I sought refuge there for a couple of hours after I swam across the water. There's an old church there, which has been totally destroyed by war. There is an inscription on the tower in Gaelic, I'm not entirely sure what it means, but it's something along the lines of when the bell tolls, someone will die. I could often hear bells tolling in Azkaban, but only when I wasn't Padfoot. They were absolutely mournful. I did some reading and apparently they are historically linked with the Dementors. I'm not sure how, and I'm not too sure the source is accurate. The villagers are very superstitious; I couldn't find out very much from them, due to communication problems, but basically they know that the tolling bells means death, but they have never found the bodies. I'm looking into it a little more. Your vision however doesn't sound as if it were implanted there.'

Harry contemplated for a while. Then he looked up seriously.

'Perhaps you should ask Hermione for help. She has the ability to find just about anything,' Harry mentioned.

Sirius nodded.

'Perhaps I'll ask her. She's pretty intelligent. Reminds me a bit of Chrys when she was that age.'

Harry looked at Sirius inquisitively.

'I know it's none of my business, Sirius,' Harry began, 'But who is that? Some witch that you just might have happened to be snogging outside the Ministry after your trial?'

Sirius grinned mischievously.

'I was just getting to that, my young godson who appears to never miss anything. Chrys is whom you should go to if you ever want to know anything about your mother. She was your mum's maid of honour and knows pretty much everything there is to know about Lily. She also was kind of my girlfriend when your mum and dad were killed. I'm not sure where things stand with us anymore, and neither does she. We'll eventually sort things out, but I think we both need to be patient. It's very hard to pick things up where we left off after so many years. At times things are awkward and then it's like nothing ever happened. Our main problem is that she is an Auror. Or maybe it's my problem, Harry. I just don't know if I like the idea of being with an Auror. So she may be around, but I don't want you starting any gossip about what happens at Hogwarts. She'll be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts this year; it would appear that Dumbledore likes having famous Aurors teaching. The only other thing is, if you do ask her anything about your mum, please be sensitive, as I know you will be, but keep in mind she was one of the Aurors who responded to your parents' deaths. She may be a little touchy about the issue.'

Harry nodded.

'Even if she didn't want to talk, it would be nice having someone else around who knew my mum really well,' he thought.

'Now, what else was it that I wanted to know?' Sirius said reflecting, but with a slight teasing tone to his voice. 'That's right; now tell me what happened with Ginny. If you can be nosy about my personal life, then I can be nosy about yours.'

Harry looked up at Sirius and said,

'There's really not that much to tell. You know Ginny used to follow me around all the time. It wasn't until she didn't seem to be adoring me anymore, I began to see her in a different light. She wasn't Ron's little sister anymore; she was this stunningly beautiful woman. She kind of looked a bit like my mum,' Harry confessed, with some shame.

'That's understandable,' Sirius replied, 'but that's not really a good reason to be with someone.'

Harry nodded.

'I know that,' he said, 'and I think Ginny realised that it wasn't really her that I wanted. So she broke it off. A few weeks later I saw her kissing another student, in the Charms classroom. It was just a peck on the cheek. I didn't have a problem with that, but it was who it was with that was the problem.'

Sirius raised his eyebrows.

'Oh?' said Sirius.

'It was Malfoy,' Harry replied. 'I just couldn't see why she should be thanking him of all people. But I had a long talk to Hermione and she helped me see that I wasn't in love with her, so her kissing Malfoy shouldn't bother me. I do however feel as though I should be trying to protect her from Malfoy though. I mean Malfoy is not exactly known for his good character.'

There was silence for a while, as if Harry was deciding to admit something else.

'There's someone else' said Harry, breaking the silence. 'Her name's Lavender Brown, she's a Gryffindor. I just kissed her, there's been nothing else except the one kiss, so I'm not entirely sure where it's going.'

Sirius pondered for a moment.

'If you want to go on a date, that's fine, you don't have to ask,' Sirius said. 'All I ask is that you just tell me where you're going. Better yet, invite her here so you don't have to watch your back. But try not to put anyone in danger.'

Sirius glanced at his watch.

'We've been talking here for a while, Harry,' he said. 'I thought I'd give you some time to yourself, to explore, to write letters or perhaps even do some homework.' Sirius chuckled. 'But we're going out tonight. I'm taking you to my parents place to meet my family. Sorry if you don't want to, but it's a formality. We'll have to use my motorbike to get there, as I've disconnected the house from the Floo network. So be ready at about 4 o'clock, it'll take us about an hour to get there. And write that guest list, because we'd better owl the invites out tomorrow. Your birthday is quickly approaching us.'

Harry walked up to his room. He was trying to absorb everything that Sirius had just said. There had been an edge to Sirius's voice which had disturbed Harry, like the night he had met Sirius in the Whomping Willow. He knew Sirius was just trying to caution him, but he had made Harry feel, just for the shortest amount of time that he was back at Privet Drive getting in trouble for accidental magic. Additionally Harry was just very confused. There was something about coming to this place and seeing the pictures of his parents that had unsettled him. He knew his parents would have come here. They would have sat on the couch downstairs and laughed with Sirius. It didn't help that know he knew that they were dead because of him. He had not mentioned to anyone just how guilty he did feel because of the stupid prophecy. He had never told Neville about it either, but sometimes Harry felt an awful feeling inside of him when he saw Neville. He would think why couldn't Voldemort have chosen Neville instead? Then his parents would still be alive.

He sat down at his desk and tried to snap himself out of his melancholy mood.

First things first, Harry decided to write his list, and then he could owl Ron and Hermione when he got back later that night.

Party Guests

Sirius

Ron

Hermione

The Weasleys (even Percy and Penelope?) (NOT MALFOY)

Quidditch people - Oliver, Angelina, Alicia and Katie, Rose and Natalie.

Seamus, Neville and Dean and partners

Lavender

Probably Padma and Parvati (can't invite Lavender and not them )

Justin and Sarah

Ernie and Susan

Remus

Tonks

Hagrid (and Olympe?)

Dumbledore and McGonagall?

Those people that Sirius want to invite...

'What would Sirius's parents be like?' he wondered. 'Will they like me?'

He knew also that Sirius had a sister, so did that mean he had, well... sort of, cousins?

Harry placed the list back on his desk.

He stood up and located his Firebolt and walked outside. He knew that flying would clear his head. He surveyed the vast surroundings, hoped on his broom and cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and the broom. He kicked off the ground and soared into the air. As he flew up and down, back and forth and every which direction Harry had the amazing sensation of being free, a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time.