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Chapter 47 - Sirius Black
Two days passed after the owl post arrived. Each morning we were anticipating and waiting. By the second morning, nearly mid-day, firm knock echoed through our front door.
We were not expecting anyone. Not a neighbour, a delivery man, or a visiting relative. Only one person could arrive unannounced in such a way.
I moved forward at once. I already knew who would be here.
When I opened the door, the cold air swept in, along with the sight of a man standing tall on our doorstep.
Sirius Black.
He looked mostly normal. Not the hollow ghost Azkaban should have made him. His clothes were clean and well-fitted, his hair still long but brushed, tied loosely behind his shoulders. His face carried a little tiredness in the eyes, and small lines that showed strain, but nothing like the broken man from the stories. His hospital treatments and experts' healing clearly worked. He looked like a proper young lord, patched back together, but whole.
He stared at me from head to foot, eyebrows slowly rising.
"You're not Harry," he said plainly.
I couldn't help it and snorted. "No. I'm a bit too big for a ten-year-old, don't you think?"
He blinked again, then nodded. "Fair point. I'm here for Harry. Harry Potter."
"Arthur Dursley," I introduced myself, holding out my hand.
He took it, strong grip, warm. "Sirius Black."
"I know." I stepped aside. "Come in, he's inside."
He smiled, that reckless grin I had only heard about. Before he entered, another figure appeared just behind him.
Madam Tonks.
She gave me a small nod, half greeting, half apology for the man she escorted. I stepped aside to let them both in.
I called up the stairs from the door, "Harry! Dudley! Mum! Come down, we have a guest!"
Dad, unfortunately, had gone to his office already, so it was just the four of us at home.
Sirius stepped into the hallway. As Madam Tonks passed by me to get inside, I muttered, "I remember you told he had something planned. Something very Marauder-like."
Madam Tonks sighed loudly. "Yes. He planned several things, actually. All too childish."
Sirius scowled like a schoolboy caught with fireworks.
"But," she continued, "before he could put anything into motion, our grandfather schooled him properly. He was reminded that he is not a Hogwarts prankster anymore. He is the only heir of the House of Black. And heirs behave. Or he would be grounded."
I turned my head at once. "Wizards ground their children? I thought it was more of a muggle thing."
"Oh, certainly," she said. "For things far smaller than Muggles do. You would not believe how strict some families are."
"Good for us then," I said. "Especially Harry."
She nodded. "Yes. Definitely Merlin's mercy that grandfather heard the prank plans early."
I raised one eyebrow. "I don't think it was Merlin. I think someone told your grandfather. Maybe a cousin who knew Sirius was planning nonsense again?"
Madam Tonks's eyes narrowed, as she smiled threateningly. "Not a word more boy."
I nodded, lips sealed, making a quiet zip-motion across my mouth. She smirked but said nothing more. It was enough for an answer.
We stepped into the living room together.
Harry was standing near the sofa, confused, eyes wide. Dudley hovered behind him, unsure but curious.
And Sirius froze.
Completely froze.
He saw Harry for one second and the world seemed to stop. Harry's face held more of Lily now than in the original stories. Her magic hadn't been forced entirely into the Horcrux's shield anymore, so her features showed more strongly. But his hair, his posture, his quick uncertain smile, those were James, and Sirius did not take a second to recognise it
Sirius's breath caught, shoulders shaking. His eyes filled instantly, completely unhidden.
"Harry," he whispered, voice breaking.
Harry blinked at him. "Yes, You are?"
Sirius didn't wait. He rushed forward and swept Harry into the tightest bear hug I had ever seen. Harry froze at first, startled, then slowly raised his arms around Sirius's robes, and patted him lightly, as a child patting a dog.
Madam Tonks sighed softly beside me. "There he goes."
I watched them, feeling a warm ache in my chest. Harry's face was confused against Sirius's shoulder, and Sirius held him like he had been waiting years for this moment, because he had.
After a long while, Sirius finally loosened his grip and pulled back just enough to look Harry in the eyes.
"You look just like them," he whispered. "Just like James and Lily. Both of them. Merlin, you really do."
Harry smiled shyly. "Thank you."
Sirius sniffed once, wiped his eyes quickly, and laughed. "Harry, it's great you are fine."
I stepped forward then. "Come in, both of you. Sit. We have tea and biscuits."
Sirius grinned again, wiping his face with his sleeve. "Arthur, I like your house already."
Petunia came downstairs a few minutes after Sirius hugged Harry. She must have recognised the voice, because she did not look surprised but only tense. When she entered the living room, Sirius stood up at once. For a moment, neither of them spoke. They both remembered old scenes, old days, and old arguments. They did not want to go into those memories, but they were there in the air.
Finally Petunia said, "Sirius Black."
Sirius gave a small bow of his head. "Petunia Evans, or Dursley now. It's been a long time."
"Yes," she replied quietly, her voice guarded but polite. "A very long time."
They sat. Sirius stayed close to Harry, almost glued to his side, while Dudley sat beside me. Madam Tonks found a chair near the wall, prepared to interfere if Sirius said something foolish.
Harry looked at me in questioning look.
After everyone settled, I introduced them then, "Harry this is Madam Andromeda Tonks, mother of Nymphadora Tonks who is a year senior to me. And this is Sirius Black, her cousin, and your parents friends."
Sirius cleared his throat and said, "I was… honestly a little surprised when I learned Harry was placed here."
Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"
Sirius hesitated. Then he looked at Harry softly. "Your uncle and aunty didn't like magic or magical people too much. They disliked almost everything and everyone magical, including your mother."
Harry blinked. "But Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon don't hate magic."
Sirius raised both eyebrows. "They don't?"
I spoke before Harry could continue. "It changed early. I was born magical. Dudley too. So their thinking shifted over time. There was no hatred left to hold on to."
Sirius stared at me, really stared. "Two wizards? Both of you?"
I nodded.
He laughed softly in disbelief, then leaned forward to Petunia. "Congratulations. Truly, Petunia, you're a lucky one. Two wizards in your home."
Petunia nodded stiffly, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
Then Sirius added with a grin, "I can only imagine Vernon's face when he found out both his boys could do magic."
Petunia's smile disappeared at once, and she shot him a sharp look. Madam Tonks reached over and tapped Sirius firmly on the shoulder.
"No jokes like that," she warned.
Sirius sighed and raised his hands slightly. "Fine, fine."
Then he turned to Harry again. "Your parents were my closest friends. And I am your godfather."
Harry brightened instantly. "I know a little about godfathers. Arthur told me I had one. And that he was locked up." He frowned. "You were in prison, right?"
"Yes," Sirius said gently. "Locked up in a false case. Someone else did everything. I was innocent, Harry. And now I'm free."
Harry grinned widely. "Great! That means I have another family member!"
Watching Harry's face was enough to make warmth settle in my chest. He looked genuinely happy, bright and hopeful.
Sirius's smile wavered for a moment, as if he wasn't sure he deserved that happiness.
Then he turned to Petunia. "I wanted to ask… if Harry could stay at the Black House for Yule. My family has traditions, and I want him there this year."
Petunia did not even wait a second.
"No," she said firmly. "He is staying here. I will not send him off to another house. I don't trust magical people enough for that."
Sirius's jaw tightened. "Do you think I would harm him? I'd protect him with my life."
Petunia stepped closer, voice steady and low. "You said the same about his parents. You said you would be with them. But they were still killed, and Harry was almost killed. I don't think you will hurt him. But forgive me if I don't believe you can keep him safe from every danger."
Sirius became silent. He had no answer for that. Because she was right. He had promised, and yet the Potters still died. And after their deaths he wasn't there for Harry.
Madam Tonks looked away, giving them space.
It was turning into a deadlock, as Sirius wanted to show Harry around his house, and Mum was tensed about safety, so I stepped forward quickly and said,
"How about this? We celebrate Yule and Christmas day here. Sirius, you can do your Yule traditions at your home with Lord Black. And after that, on the twenty-sixth, we all come to your house. A proper family visit."
Sirius's face lit up at once. "Yes! That works. That works beautifully. Guests won't come after Yule and Christmas. You can all visit then."
Mum Petunia frowned again, but when she saw Harry's hopeful eyes looking at her, she sighed and nodded. "Fine. After Christmas. On the twenty-sixth. But only the boys. Vernon and I won't go."
Madam Tonks nodded quickly. "That is better. Lord Black can be a little different. He won't say anything, but he won't be pleased if Muggles enter the house. Old habits die hard."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Old stubborn fool—"
Sirius did not finish the sentence. Because Madam Tonks smacked him on the back of the head with force.
"No speaking nonsense about grandfather," she snapped. "He is Lord Black. Behave properly. You aren't a schoolboy anymore."
Sirius rubbed the back of his head with a wronged look, but he stayed quiet. He knew she was right.
And just like that, the matter was settled.
Harry was excited about finally visiting Sirius's home.
Dudley was curious about new magical things to be seen.
And I was happy too. Because this visit would allow me to take my next step in removing the Horcrux. On that day, I would target Slytherin's locket.
End of Chapter 47 - Sirius Black