"Parseltongue", Thoughts, "Normal speech", "telepathy"
Remus and Sirius POV
Sirius had been in St. Mungo's since his release from Azkaban three months ago. The only ones that visited him were Remus and the law wizard Mr. Edgar. It was the man's client that had asked for Sirius' trial and no matter how many times he had begged to meet the man so that he could thank him, he has been refused. Mr. Edgar promised him however, that his verbal and written thanks were being passed along each time, even though he would have preferred to render the thanks in person.
This unknown man had done so much for him, it was beyond words. He had a private suit at the hospital and all the Medi-wizards and witches and mind healers caring for him were sworn to secrecy. Even Remus had to swear a vow of secrecy when he had first been invited to visit. In a few weeks' time he was being moved to one of the Black residences abroad. France specifically. When Mr. Edgar had brought the idea to him, he had been asked to choose which of the residents he would like to be moved to and the chateau in France held the best memories for him. He was really looking forward to the move for a couple of reasons, one he didn't want to have to deal with Dumbledore for a while. Remus, bless his poor soul, told him how adamant he had become for any information about him. Especially his plans concerning his Godson now that he was free. Secondly. Scotland hasn't held the best of memories for him for a while and he was looking forward to somewhere he could breathe some fresh air.
As his mind once again turned to his godson, his mood took a somewhat depressive turn. It was not as if he had not thought of Harry because he had. Not one day went by that he did not think if what would have happened had he not given into his anger and instead, went into that house, picked up his godson and comforted him. Maybe they would be living comfortably in one of the Black manors right now, preparing for Hogwarts. But he knew that in his current state, with his mind so broken if somewhat on the mend, that he was of very little use to the boy. For crying out loud, he still could not sleep in total darkness because he suffered from constant hallucinations. Besides, Mr. Edgar promised, under a wizard oath that Harry was safe and well looked after.
However, the fact that it was a Black residence he was moving to had set off warning bells in his head. Only the Lord of the House of Black can open any of the Black residences as any that are not in use by members of the family have all been shut down since the death of the last lord. When he last checked, he was the heir apparent to the tittle despite his mother trying to blast him from the family tree, but he had no doubt that after his time in Azkaban, the magic wouldn't accept him anymore. In the case where there was no lord, the houses can be opened by any member of the direct line. Which left absolutely nobody, Andromeda was disowned so she wasn't part of the family anymore, Narcissa would rather kill him herself, and he'd left Bellatrix behind in Azkaban. He knew Harry and Draco were too young for the tittle so maybe it was someone magic chose from an indirect line. Maybe his father had affair. He definitely wouldn't be surprised with a wife like Walburga Black. Whoever they were, for the mean time, he did not care, he was just thankful. There was no need to say that he had many questions. Questions he was hoping someone would answer before he went stark raving mad from keeping them bottled up, but he could wait.
"Heir Black, I see you are up and about today" Sirius turned from the window he was staring out of, not missing the address but chose to ignore it for the moment. Mr. Edgar was followed by a Medi-wizard who moved towards Sirius immediately and started reading off the parchment that followed him while Mr. Edgar moved to take the visitors seat by the bed.
"Good afternoon Mr. Edgar" Sirius replied in greeting before turning to the Medi-wizard who was now smiling at him.
"Well Mr. Black, you seem to be doing well enough. We will keep you on till the about mid-week next week to make sure this pattern is not just a fluke then you will be discharged. Mr. Edgar has already sorted out your payment. You will have to take some potions for a while for your muscle mass and bones so do not forget to pick those up on the way" the Medi-wizard Sirius had come to know as Jude smiled as he waved his wand, making a copy of the floating a parchment and vanishing it somewhere.
"Thanks Jude" Sirius smiled widely at him, a hint of his old charm resurfacing to make the small attractive man blush.
"No problem Mr. Black" he smiled, tucking his wand back into his pocket and turning towards the door.
"It's Sirius. I've told you before" Sirius smiled again. Under a different condition, if he was feeling better, the man would not be leaving alone.
"Sirius" Jude nodded with an over the shoulder smile before walking out of the door, leaving the two men alone.
"I see you still have your infamous charm" Mr. Edgar drawled from the chair, a small smirk playing on his lips, his eyes still on the door.
"It's a Black family trait" Sirius replied without missing a beat, a wolfish grin on his face "along with the madness."
"I'll say" the man's smirk widened some. And as quickly as it had begun, the jovial mood, became subdued as each of their minds wandered. Well, Sirius' mind wandered, and Mr. Edgar watched Sirius' mind wander.
"I know that you must be tired of hearing it, but no matter much I hated my parents, they never raised me to be ungrateful. I once again, wish to thank you and my unknown helper, for that you have done for me" Sirius' was earnest as he thought of the amount of gold the unknown man must have paid as his hospital bill.
"As always, your thanks will be passed on" Mr. Edgar acknowledged with a small nod.
"That is all I ask" the silent at this moment although not spoken was herd by them both. "So, what brings you here today?" Sirius smiled, his mood seemingly lifted as he took a seat on his bed.
"My client has requested an audience with both yourself, Heir Black and your Mr. Lupin when you are discharged. You will spend a few days with him before your transfer to France. He wishes to tell you a few things. Keep in mind you are required to swear an unbreakable Vow on your magic before he tells you anything. He is not to be trifled with" Sirius doesn't need to be told twice, he just nods in acceptance. He can already deduce how dangerous this man was, for all that he was a Gryffindor, he came from an Slytherin family, he could smell power from a thousand miles away without seeing the person and the mere thought of the man reeked power. Besides, the sudden dark look that came over the usually kind eyes of Mr. Edgar was a telling of its own. Anything that can put that look there, can strike fear into the heart of almost anyone. Despite all of this, Sirius was not afraid, rather he was curious.
"I'll do it. I'm sure Remus would agree as well" Remus was a closet Ravenclaw and had been dying to get his hands on some answers from some time as well. He would not pass up this opportunity.
"Then, I will be here to pick the both of you up next week Wednesday when you are discharged. We will floo to his address with your belongings and you will be in France by the eve of the new year" Mr. Edgar continues, draining the cup of tea a house elf had popped in some minutes before. When he stood up and started brushing his robes as if getting ready to leave, Sirius gathered up the Gryffindor courage he was known for and cleared his throat.
"I was wondering if we would get to see Harry while we are there. It's just that we haven't seen him since he was a child and..." he trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence. He was Harry's godfather, even though he was sure that the ministry appointed another magical guardian while he was in Azkaban, Dumbledore – Remus told him - so now that he was free, the guardianship should automatically revert to him even if he wasn't in full working order mentally. Not that he didn't trust Mr. Edgar's word because for some inexplicable reason he did, he just wanted to see his godson.
"I'm sorry Sirius but Harry does not live with my client. He has a young sister that is about four years old living with him, she is the only young child I know at that residence. You may ask him when you get there" there was no mistaking the sincerity behind his words, but Sirius did not miss the slight bite of something in his voice.
"Of course, thank you" he tried to smile but he just wasn't feeling it. So, he settled for nodding and accepting the pat on the shoulder as the law wizard walked out of his suite. A look at the permanent tempus on the wall above the door, told him that visiting time was over and his mood darkened even further as he realised that Remus would be unable to make it today. No doubt held back by Dumbledore, who according to the werewolf was now urging him to break into St. Mungo's records to find the name of the man paying for his hospital stay seeing as the order members working in the ministry could not find him from the trail request forms.
Dumbledore, Sirius did not know what he would do if he ever set eye on the man again. His brain had been too addled during his trial to truly comprehend anything, so he had not registered the man's presence in the room, but he was on the mend now. Dumbledore had been the one to suggest the use of the Fidelus charm, and charms like that required someone powerful enough to cast the spell. James and Lilly had been powerful yes, but not powerful enough to cast a fidelus on their own. Too bad during his trial they did not ask him who had cast the charm for the potters because he would have been more than happy to tell them.
When Remus came to visit him the next day, Sirius told him about his impending discharge and the invitation to spend some days with his good Samaritan before moving on to the manor in France. The werewolf had been very eager to meet the man even more eager to leave Scotland. A smile lifted the corner of his lips when Remus had asked if they wold get to see Harry just like he had done and the died when he had to give his long-time friend the same answer Mr. Edgar gave him. They both met the law-wizard once more before his discharge date, when he advice Remus to pack his merger belongings in advance, ready to meet them at St. Mungo's on the Wednesday Sirius was to be discharged.
Finally, the day came and the three of them were gathered at the Floo, ready to leave St. Mungo's for the last time having said all their goodbyes, Sirius, tucking a suspicious piece of paper with a floo address from a blushing Medi-wizard into the sleeve of his robes. With a shout of "Peverell Manor" from the law wizard and twin gasps from his companions, they all disappeared in a flash of green flames.
"Mira be welcoming you to Peverell manor" the small elf was dressed in a pillow case like all elves usually were. But what surprised Sirius and Remus was that the pillow case bore the Peverell crest and was very clean, pressed and so sharp looking, you wouldn't know it was in fact a pillow case.
"Mira, please, direct us to your master, he is expecting us" Mr. Edgar spoke as if he was very familiar with the elf and Sirius assumed that he would have to be seeing as he was working for the man. But a Peverell. He was being helped by a Peverell? They were practically royalty. Very rich and influential family, you would not want to cross a Peverell in anyway. Then his mind ran to another royal that showed up on the scene recently and his mind almost short circuited. According to Mr. Edgar, his office received a lot of howlers for daring to pull such a prank as to resurrect the royal family just to get a trail for Sirius Black even though he turned out to be innocent.
"Master be eating with little mistress in dinning room. Master requests that you be joining them when you arrive. Master Edgar and friends be following Mira" without waiting for any form of confirmation or response, the little smart looking elf turned around and started into the manor. Both Remus and Sirius took the opportunity to look around as they walked. They had both visited Potter manor when James was alive, and Sirius had obviously attended balls held at other manors with his family, so he was expecting grandeur, but he had no word for what he was looking at. The design and decoration of the manor so far, was both elegant and warm. It showed that whoever lived here was rich, but they were not outright flaunting it. There were portraits and paintings hung about but none of them were of ancestors so far, just random people and scenes. It was rather inviting. Both Sirius and Remus were pulled out of their observation of the house by the sound of the house elf announcing that they had arrived before.
"Alexion, join us, it's been a while" a deep voice boomed from inside the rather small dining room, leading Remus and Sirius to believe that this was a family dining room. The voice sent shivers down Sirius and Remus' back. It was both seductive and vicious and they knew that this must be the person that had been helping them.
"I saw you last week" the law man spoke, strolling into the room, a smile on his voice. He stopped by the little girl with dark red hair and deep green eyes that bore such a striking resemblance to Lily Potter it froze both Sirius and Remus. "Merry met, oh fair princess!" he exclaimed falling to his knees dramatically with a smile on his lips. Sirius and Remus could only watch from the door as the law man and the little girl exchanged laugh filled greetings before he was invited by the man whose back was to them to sit.
"Do the both of you plan to stand at the door through dinner?" the man didn't turn from his food but when his words registered to the two still stood at the door, it snapped them out of their observation of the people in the room and had them scrambling to the seats set for them at the table. They both gasped when they were able to take a proper look at the man and dangerous didn't seem dangerous enough to describe him. He had quite a muscular build, but it wasn't too much. His shoulders were broad enough for someone to lay their head on comfortably, and his features were nothing short of devilishly handsome. In a, I-know-could-kill-me-any-moment-now-but-I-still-want-you kind of way. It was rather disconcerting because, he kind of reminded him of what he imagined Harry would look like when he grew up. Minus the red hair.
"My lord, this your heir, Sirius black and friend Remus Lupin. Heir Black, Mr. Lupin, Lord Hadrian Peverell and his sister Iris Lilian Peverel. My lord was the person who hired and put me in charge of your case with the ministry when he took over the lordship of the House Black" Mr. Edgar made the introduction when everyone was seated. Sirius wanted to get up and thank the man straight away. Get on his knees, crying his eyes out and show his gratitude in any way possible then promptly beg to see his godson before going to France. Maybe take him with them for a little while.
"What is the matter princess?" Sirius was about to open his mouth and start his begging spree when he was interrupted by the man's deep voice. When he looked at the girl, he was startled to notice that she was staring rather intently at him and Remus.
"Are they gonna be staying with us?" he could tell she still struggled with some words with the way she tried to muffle them, but there was no hiding the frown in her voice. She clearly didn't want them there. His eyes immediately snapped to her brother's and was again surprised to see how soft they were.
"They will be staying till the eve of New Year's Eve. Remember, a friend of mine might be coming over and I would rather they were not here when he is. It would be very inconveniencing" Sirius and Remus frowned at that while Mr. Edgar tried to stifle a chuckle and Iris nodded solemnly before going back to her dinner. It seemed that the man did not know how to sugar coat anything.
"What about John and Zilvinas? What will you do about them?" the girl pipped up again some time later.
"I will introduce them to John and Zilvinas later. We will be adjourning to my office to talk business after desert. John and Zilvinas should be back by then and I will conduct the introductions. I will put the memories in a pensive for you to view tomorrow for your amusement" again Sirius and Remus bristled at the thought that they were being made fun but where Remus knew to keep quiet, Sirius had had enough.
"Hey, just because you're helping us doesn't mean you get to laugh at our expense!" Sirius shouted jumping to his feet and sending his chair shooting back startling the little girl beside him into dropping her spoon and letting out a small shout. "I actually came here to thank you in person but instead, your being nothing but a-"
"Before you finish that sentence and get yourself into trouble the likes of which you cannot get out of, I suggest you shut up and finish your dinner" Hadrian's voice when he spoke was low and vicious but spoke volumes, especially those eyes that glowed eerily like the killing curse. Sirius found himself sitting back down in his seat and finishing his dinner without protest, the words about to spill from his mouth now lodged in this throat.
Before long, dinner was finished and everyone minus an annoyed little Iris was adjourning in Hadrian's office when two large snakes slithered into the room, hissing loudly and lunging lightly at each other. Sirius and Remus immediately flew out of their chair with decidedly feminine screams also flying out of their mouths at the sight of the large snakes while Hadrian and Mr. Edgar tried to stifle to their laughs. They watched Sirius and Remus fumble for their wands for a moment before Hadrian decided enough was enough.
"I would very much appreciate it if you reframe from cursing my familiars" the two fear struck men watched in awe as the serpents shrunk till they were what you would what call almost small before making their way across the office to the chair Peverell was sat in and winding their way up it their head were resting on his shoulders.
"Y-your, y-you have snakes for familiars!!" Sirius burst out unable to keep quite any longer as the man petted the animals. Remus on the other hand, had quickly put himself back together. There was no doubt that those snakes were nothing short of and XXXX class. He did not know any magical snakes that could change their sizes and even though the black one looked like a mamba, it clearly wasn't, and he wasn't going to do anything that was going to potentially piss off creature that he knew nothing about.
"Yes, Sirius. I'm very glad your ears work" Sirius did not miss the sarcasm and would have commented on it had it not been for the two snakes that were watching him very keenly. "Now, why don't we get down to business?" Sirius swallowed at the tone that broke no room for arguments as he retook his seat. "The unbreakable vow. Alexion will bear witness. I have drafted the words of the vow".
As he finished speaking, he handed Sirius two pieces of parched bearing similar words, one of which he automatically handed along to his silent friend. They both swallowed audibly as they read over the tightly worded vow that would leave them nothing but soulless husks should they even attempt to use anything they learn about Lord Peverell and his Sister to harm them in anyway or even tell any one about them without his express permission. Sirius had half a mind to question him about the wording, but he knew that he would not be getting any answers and would likely be turned out to France this with a chunk of his memory missing, should he refuse. So, with a visible tremble, he withdrew his wand (recently bought, courtesy of Peverell inviting Olivander to St. Mungo's) and started to speak.
When they were both done, it was Peverell's turn to draw his wand and turn to the law man "Do you, Alexion Edgar, bear witness to the swearing of this vow?"
"I do hear by bear witness to this vow. So mote be it" he replied his own wand drawn.
"So mote be it" Peverell replied and they all felt the magic of the vow snap into place around them. for Sirius and Remus, it was like a vice, it sat on the surface of their skin, a constant reminder of their promise. "Moving on, Alexion?"
"Ah, yes of course, I brought the documents you requested" Mr. Edgar unshrunk a briefcase he brought out from his pocket as he spoke.
"The document Alexion will soon hand you are the ones to identify you as my Heir to the Black estate despite your stay in Azkaban. I must tell you now, I had the opportunity to get you out before the time limit required for you to take up the mantle as Lord Black was met by about a month, but I chose to wait till that was up. Do you know why?" Sirius' blood boiled as a vindictive look entered the man's eye and if not for Remus' hand on his arm he would have flown out of his seat and punched the man in the gut. "It was because I do not see you as someone who would respect the title and what it represents in society. You are fool hardy, childish, immature and a bully. You do not think about the consequence of your actions and as Lord Black, the consequence of those action would be even further reaching" the words were like a punch in the gut and he was surprised that he wasn't sprawled on the floor from the force and venom in them. "However, as Lord Black, I am able to make amendments to house charter. I have no one else in mind to pass the House to and more than enough time to shape you into the kind of man that is deserving of the title of Lord Black. You will sign the document and officially become my heir" the man nodded as if they had just had a full discussion.
"And what if I don't want to be your heir?" Sirius asked. He had always hated his family. They never treated him right. Like other families treated their son. Like Charlus and Dorea Potter treated James. The only one in that house that treated with any semblance of love was Regulus and his mother and father had gotten him involved with Voldemort and then killed.
"If you truly do not wish to become Heir Black, then you would still my ward as you are a Black and I am Lord Black. I would have to refer to the tapestry for another eligible heir. Narcissa's son would be the next in line, if I'm correct" Sirius shuddered at the thought of any child raised by his cousin Narcissa taking up the mantle as Lord Black.
"How did you become Lord Black. I have never heard of a Hadrian Peverel before" his curiosity having won out, he decided to ask the question that had been bugging him.
Hadrian paused and fixed him with a look as if assessing how worthy he was of an answer before speaking. "That is because my sister and I only just entered the country after our parent's death. We were previously in America, but I decided to relocate us when I realised that I had a lot of titles and responsibilities here".
"I'm sorry"
"There is no need, you did not kill them" Sirius was getting this feeling that this man did not understand basic human emotions and it was grating on his last nerve. "The correct thing to say in this case is, my condolences. Now do you or do you not which to become Heir to the House Black?" this man definitely did not beat around the bush. Sirius did not miss the fact that he had not answered how he came to be lord black but the chilling look the man was sending his way would stop even Godric Gryffindor from opening his mouth to do anything but answer the question they were being asked.
Sirius turned his face away from the man sat imperiously in front of him and took in the office for the first time as he thought about the offer. The office was done traditionally in brown wood with gold and silver highlights here and there. There was a large bay window with a charm on it directing the light of the setting sun away from the book case. It had a very welcoming homey feeling to it. Very unlike what he remembered of his father's office in Grimmauld Place as a child.
When there was nothing else to take in, his mind turned to the matter at hand. The title of Lord Black was his birth right and he should be a bit more upset to have it stolen from him like this. But to be honest he wasn't. he didn't anything from his family. They threw him away, so why shouldn't he throw them away too?
"Sign the papers Sirius" his head immediately whipped around to Remus who had remained quiet through out the meeting so far.
"What? How can you say that?" Sirius shouted, turning to his friend. "You know what they did to me!"
"What did they do to you apart from want you follow in their footsteps like every parent wants for their child?" Remus very matter of fact tone so much like Peverells put Sirius off and seemed to anger him even more that nobody was understanding him.
"You just don't understand. I don't want this. I'm not signing those stupid papers. They can all go to hell for all I care!" he fumed, his eyes blazing with his hate for his family.
"Very well. Alexion will return the documents to Gringotts and they will not be offered a second time. I do not have time for unthinking idiots" Remus sighed at the big mistake he knew his friend just made and a test he knew they had somehow failed.
"What?" Sirius hissed like a snake turned to man again only have his two snakes raise their heads and hiss at him, stopping him dead in his tracks.
"Alexion told me you asked to see your godson, the potter boy. As House Potter is linked to the Peverell house by blood and because of your extended stay in Azkaban, the boy is my magical ward till he comes of age. I was not going to let you see the boy tonight, in fact you were not going to see the boy for a while as I am having a small issue removing him from the wards he was living under, however, the way the you just handled the issue I just presented you has showed that you are in no way fit to care for anyone. Sirius Black, you are selfish, immature and rather good for nothing. I have no need for you and neither does the boy. In fact, you rather disgust me"
"T-that was a test?" Sirius was gobsmacked. He'd done it again. He wasn't going to see Harry. How long was it going to be this time? How many times was he going to make this mistake of avenging himself before he thought of the others around him? "P-p"
"Do not even think of begging me. As Heir Black, you would have had access to certain circles, privy to things that a mere ward isn't, you would have been able to afford the boy more protection. But you would cut off your own nose to spite your face. The Blacks are a rather mad bunch yes, but it seems that the madness did not escape you, just manifested in a different form." There was no mistaking the disgust in the man's voice and it was like a knife to his chest. Remus was looking away from him, his eyes steadily trained on a book shelf.
"Is there anything we can do to rectify the situation?" Remus finally spoke when it seemed that Sirius had become somewhat catatonic.
"You Mr. Lupin, have done nothing wrong. However, from my information, you are not the boy's godfather and are not mentioned the parents' will as eligible to receive guardian ship because of your status as werewolf so you cannot demand to see him" Remus visibly winced at that and nearly cursed as well. So, because of Sirius they could not see Harry now that they had the opportunity. How he wished he hadn't listened to Dumbledore all those years and just snuck a visit to his relatives' house to see how he was doing. But Dumbledore had told him they were wards there to repel werewolves because of Greyback and his pack that had fought with Voldemort in the war. "Alexion and I have further business to discuss so Mira will show you to your rooms for the duration of your stay" as he spoke the elf that met them when they first arrived popped into the room.
"Master be calling Mira"
"Mira, please show these gentlemen to guest bedrooms. They will be staying with us till the eve of the New years eve" the softness he spoke to the elves with was a stark contrast to the harsh tone he'd ripped into Sirius and Remus with.
"Mira be doing that. Master's guests be following Mira" Remus had to bodily drag a mumbling Sirius out of the office after the elf. As they left, he could have sworn he saw a very vicious and triumphant smile on Peverells face as he did so.