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Manipulations to War | ||||||
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Category: Pre-OotP Characters:Sirius Black Genres: Drama Warnings: Death Story is Complete Rating: R Reviews: 19 Summary: Sequel to Harry's second Christmas. James and Lily are dead, and Sirius, Remus and Anwen are living in the Potter keep with Harry. They want him to have a well balanced childhood, but the need to keep him safe is greater. Sirius is working to unravel where the Potter money went while Anwen wants to discover why they were in Godric's Hollow and not safely in the Potter's home. Hitcount: Story Total: 18915; Chapter Total: 670 Author's Notes: Again, reposting. Thanks to Arnel for her amazing beta work. |
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Chapter 2: Portable Party July 30, 1982 Sirius waited, somewhat impatiently, for Anwen to emerge from the Auror offices in the DMLE. He had already resigned, but no one was expecting him to come back to work anyway. Once James and Lily’s Will was read, and it became clear Sirius was not only now Lord Black but also responsible for the Potter holdings, his boss told him to use up his leave and sick time “ he’d used none of it in his three years as a Hit Wizard “ and then resign when it was over. That is precisely what he'd done. It took him all of two minutes to sign everything. He didn't even shake his bosses' hand, as he thought the man was useless and imbecilic. Anwen, on the other hand, had worked hard to become an Auror and loved her work. She enjoyed the puzzles and detective work, and it stimulated her brain the way nothing had before. While she knew it was her job to care for Harry, it didn't mean she wanted to leave her career entirely behind. Alice had tried to convince her to stay, doing analysis like she was now, but Anwen told her she had a more fantastic puzzle to figure out at home. The issue of why James and Lily weren't better hidden wasn't discussed outside of the three partners in "Team Harry" as they called themselves and Minerva McGonagall. Sirius was about to leave a note for Anwen with the receptionist when she came out of Amelia Bones office, her eyes damp and red. Resigning must have been more challenging than they'd expected. “Hey, it’s okay,” he whispered into her hair when he’d enveloped her in his arms. “You can go back someday.” “That’s what they all said,” Anwen said. “It was hard to walk away from something I love. Those people took care of me last year.” “I remember,” Sirius said with a laugh. “Every time I tried to see you after our break-up, Kingsley was there saying his partner wasn’t available.” “Well, he didn’t like to see me cry.” “No one likes to see you cry, Anwen,” Sirius said softly. “You gonna make it through the rest of our errands?” “Yes,” she said with one final shudder and then standing up. “We have a double birthday party to throw tomorrow.” “That we do, and those little boys are going to love everything we’ve cooked up,” Sirius said to get his fiancée to smile. They left the Ministry and quickly went to Diagon Alley via the Leaky Cauldron. People knew they were Harry’s guardians, and the press of folks wanting to thank them, comment on his greatness or ask questions was so oppressive they completed only one task before leaving. Anwen took Sirius to the shops she knew near her former family farm in Wales to complete the remainder of their shopping. Thankfully streamers and balloons bought in the Muggle world could be hung with magic as well as they could with Sellotape. Harry and Neville, who seemed to share similar temperaments and personalities, were having a joint second birthday party at the Potter property. The boys shared the same small circle of friends, and the families would be safe on the property. Besides Harry's three adults and the Longbottom parents, Neville’s grandmother, Augusta, and great-uncle Algie would be joining Granny Mini, Minerva McGonagall. The only other families invited were the Weasleys, and Anwen had asked Amelia Bones to bring her niece, Susan, along for the party. She always felt terrible that Ginny was there as the lone girl. Of course, it never bothered Ginny because she was used to her brothers. It would be the first time Molly would be allowed entrance inside the Potter property. Anwen was sceptical of letting the woman in because as late as Wednesday, she commented on how Dumbledore wanted to see how Harry was doing. She desperately wanted to believe that her childhood guardian cared about how the boy was faring and progressing, but a niggling feeling that he wanted to take Harry away from the three people who loved him most still haunted Anwen. She and Sirius sat in a small café with their purchases shrunk and stowed in Anwen’s handbag, sipping tea and enjoying chocolate croissants. “We have the meal taken care of, well, Hindsa is on top of it, so I’m not concerned,” she said. “Alice is making a dragon cake and having Frank bring it over tomorrow morning. We have the streamers, balloons, signs, and such already; paper plates and napkins are in the bag, as are the Sippy cups for the little ones, and we have cups for others at the house. You’ve purchased your over-the-top gift," she said, followed by a sigh, “I have some books and games Remus wanted us to buy, and I've picked up a few things, but I need to go buy him some new clothes and his Big Wheel.” “I still don’t see why a two-year-old need a large wheel,” Sirius said with crumbs drifting off his lips. "It isn't a large wheel; it's a Big Wheel. It’s something he can ride on, like a bicycle, but meant for smaller children. You’ll see when we get to the store. Are you finished?” she asked, looking at his nearly empty cup and clean plate. She’d left some of her treat on the plate, unable to finish it. "Almost," Sirius answered, picking up the leftovers from her plate and stuffing about a third of the croissant into his mouth. "Now I am," he mumbled, and Anwen rolled her eyes. "Lovely," she muttered as the pair stood. Anwen left a few pounds as a tip, and they left. She never let Sirius deal with Muggle funds; he just didn’t understand them. The pair went to the children’s store a block away and purchased Harry a few pairs of new trousers, he’d outgrown the ones he had, and colder temperatures weren’t that far away. Anwen also bought some cotton pants, as she wanted to try and get Harry toilet-trained while the weather was still warm enough to do it outside. She knew from watching her younger two brothers being trained, utilizing the outside to eliminate messes inside was the way to go. “He can’t be old enough for those yet,” Sirius said as she added two packages to their trolley. "He is, and he's ready. He comes and tells me after he's wet or soiled his nappy. He’s ready to wear them during the day. He will still need nappies at bedtime for another year or so.” “He’s growing up,” Sirius said proudly. “Much too fast,” Anwen added, wistfully. Sirius wrapped an arm around her, again reminding himself that she was still young. Anwen had turned nineteen in April. It had been a hard nineteen years at that. “Come on, let’s see if there is anything with a dragon on it,” Sirius said. “His favourite tee-shirt doesn’t fit correctly anymore. His tummy shows when he wears it.” Anwen smiled up at her fiancée, knowing he was growing into a lovely father-figure. She dreamt of the day when he’d be worried about their own children wearing their first pants and tee shirts, which were too small. “Good thinking,” she said, and they headed to a rack of little tee-shirts. To their good fortune, they were marked down as ‘end of the season.’ “I don’t understand how we’re having an end of the season sale when it’s July,” Sirius said. “And who says tees have a season? I wear mine all year.” Sirius did wear his band or motorbike tees almost daily, but he’d recently begun wearing a button-down shirt over the top. He also kept his robes in better condition than before, as he never knew when he’d need to go into the Ministry or to Gringotts. Anwen was pleased with how he was developing into his new roles. She also thought his therapy had something to do with it. "Oh, look at this one," Anwen said, lifting it up. "It has a little tutu attached.” The tee shirt was yellow with what looked like a leotard on the top and the fluffy pink fringe along the bottom. “Anwen, Harry is not wearing that,” Sirius said bluntly. “It isn’t for Harry. Ginny’s birthday is coming up. I think she’d like this. I’ve been finding pretty things for her, girly things like bows for her hair, and a sweet little toddler-sized handbag. I'm getting her this too." "Well, that makes me feel better." They eventually found a new tee-shirt with a dragon on it and one with a pirate ship, and Sirius found one with a tiny motorbike on the front. They finally headed to the back of the store, where there was an extensive array of riding toys for toddlers and preschoolers. “This is wicked,” Sirius said, eyeing up a small bike that was painted black with red flames on it. “It is, and for someone much older than Harry. In five years, when he's ready for it, you can come and buy it," she said with a barely held snigger. "This is what I'm talking about." She showed Sirius the primary-coloured trike with its larger front wheel and small back pair. “Now I get the name,” Sirius said, and Anwen giggled as she pointed to where the boxed ones were located. “Oh, assembly required. I hate putting things together,” Anwen said with a groan. “I’ll do it.” “Sirius, do you know the difference between a Phillips head and a flat head screwdriver?” “Why would I need to know that? What’s a screwdriver?” “My point exactly. Maybe Wilken will help me?" Sirius lifted the item, and they headed toward the cash register. Back at home, Anwen hid the purchases and wrapping paper in an unused bedroom on the second floor; Harry wasn’t allowed there. She then went to check on dinner. Sirius was working on the financial books again, having received a thick missive from the Paris's Gringotts branch. Finally, Anwen settled down with Remus and Harry in his room playing with his beloved blocks. She sat down in the rocking chair to watch and promptly fell asleep. An hour later, Remus came to wake her for dinner. “I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to fall asleep on you,” she said while stretching. “You must have needed it," Remus said with a broad knowing smile. "Not sleeping well?" “No, I’m not, but not for the reason you think,” she said back with a shake of her head. “Sirius has been waking up from nightmares since he started therapy. I leave him sleeping when Harry gets up in the morning, but that means I’m missing hours of sleep a night. It’s catching up to me.” “I can’t imagine what he’s digging up in his head,” Remus said. “I remember when he’d returned from a visit home in second year, Easter hols maybe? Anyway, he was bruised all over his torso, and when we asked, he just said his father was unimpressed with his grades. Anwen, Sirius did study some in those days, and he was top of the class. The way he looked, I was never that bruised after I’d had one of my furry episodes. James finally dragged him to Madame Pomfrey for care, and it was good that he did because there was a small internal bleed.” “I don’t want to betray his confidences, Remus, but that was nothing. He looked like a roadmap that first summer he came to find me at the Music school. There were healing scars and bruises all over. I think he was trying to heal himself, but he admitted it wasn’t going well. I told him to see Fee, but he was afraid to. He always wanted to look perfect to her. That’s what he thought parenting was, seeing only the perfection in your child. I asked her about it, but she never knew. I think he suffered the whole while we were together that summer. The thing is, I know Fee well enough to know she wouldn't have thought a thing about him; she loved him unconditionally. That's what mother's do," Anwen said quietly. “He’s learned so much so quickly, about caring for Harry,” she added brightly, redirecting the conversation. “Anwen, he just needs to think about how you love Harry and follow your lead,” Remus said. “We all bring something to the parenting table; I just happen to have the most practical experience with small children.” “Take the compliment, Anwen.” “Thank you, Remus.” The next afternoon children and adults were playing in the newly rehabbed rear garden. Anwen and Wilken had worked hard to create a lovely green space ringed with child-friendly flowerbeds with a low fence to keep a curious two-year-old and an old dog from walking in them. Sirius had switched over to Padfoot and played tag with the older Weasley boys, while Ron, Harry, and Neville were climbing on Sirius' over-the-top birthday gift “ a portable climbing castle. It had stairs, slides, a rope ladder, and a small trampoline, all of which were charmed to be safe for the pair of toddlers. Ginny and Susan had decided they would rather play in the attached sandbox. A sudden shrill of the alarms set Anwen on her feet only seconds after she had sat down. With a wave of her hand, the noise was gone, and she was out of the gardens and to the front entrance before Sirius or Remus had time to react. Sanding at the gates was Molly Weasley, who she hadn't realized had disappeared, and Albus Dumbledore. She looked through the gates at the pair. She knew there would be problems from trusting the fellow witch. “I can’t believe you betrayed our trust this way,” she said to Molly, ignoring Dumbledore. "You have to know I won't allow Harry to come to your home anymore." “Oh, please don’t deprive the children of their friend,” she said sweetly. “He has been asking after Harry, and I can’t have Albus come over when Harry is there because you always leave Remus with him.” “I don’t leave Remus anywhere, but yes, Remus stays with him for this reason. Albus wants to take Harry to somewhere Lily and James didn't want him to be. For that reason, Sirius, Remus, and I haven’t allowed him access.” She put her hands on her hips and stared at them. "Surely, Anwen, now that the Will has been read, you cannot expect me to take the child from you?" Albus asked in that mildly condescending way he had. She glowered at him. “Please, Anwen, I brought him a gift.” “Give me a good reason why I should allow either of you to come in? Molly, you went behind our backs the minute we let you know how to come into our home. I so wanted to believe that you respected us. I doubted you considered our reinstatement of the protections as soon as everyone was here. Albus, you just can't take no for an answer." Anwen lifted her hand, and a silvery thread left it, and Albus wondered who she had sent her Patronus to. A moment later, Sirius, Remus, and Arthur arrived. “I don’t make unilateral decisions where it comes to Harry,” she said coolly. “Anwen, what’s going on?” Sirius asked when he saw the pair on the other side of the gates. “Molly, why are you out there? You didn’t go to get him, did you?” Arthur asked. “Albus, why?” Remus added on top of the other two. “The alarms went off, and I didn’t want anyone else”or the children”startled, so I cleared them and came over to find them on the other side. I doubt it will surprise any of you that I announced I cannot trust Molly, and I will not be sending Harry to the Burrow any longer. Arthur, Ron, and Ginny are welcomed here. The question is what to do with them right now.” “They’re not coming in,” Sirius said firmly. “Anwen, Sirius, Remus, I am so sorry for her behaviour,” Arthur said. “I can gather the children “” “No, Arthur, you and the children are welcome to stay. We haven’t even cut the cake yet,” Anwen said. She tipped her head to the side, and Sirius and Remus followed her. “What if we let Albus come in for five minutes, just to see Harry and give him his gift? Maybe then he will leave us alone.” “I don’t like it, Anwen,” Sirius said. “I still haven’t ruled him out of pillaging the accounts.” "I know, but I'm thinking that at some point we are going to have to talk with him about it, and this might garner us some goodwill on his part," she explained. "Five minutes, then he has to leave. I think we let Arthur deal with his wife.” “He might be the only one who can deal with her,” Remus said, glancing over to see the heated discussion the pair were having. “Fine, but my wand stays out,” Sirius said. Anwen patted him on the shoulder. "That's fine, dear, but I'm still the quicker draw," his fiancé said sweetly. Sirius and Anwen returned to the gate, while Remus went to the rear yard. He wanted to warn the Longbottoms that Dumbledore was there, and if they didn't want Neville seeing the Chief Warlock, they should go into the house for a few minutes. They chose to remain with the party but keep an eye out. Minerva was livid at the situation and planned to tell Albus precisely what she thought of it when they met next. At the gate, Sirius released the charms and let the pair enter. “I’m only letting you in for five minutes, Albus. As for you, Molly, cousin or no, you can’t behave like this around my family. Arthur, you will have the final say-so on today, but I stand with Anwen, and Harry is not allowed at your house for the foreseeable future.” “That’s fine, Sirius. Molly will be feigning a headache shortly and needing to go home to rest,” Arthur said pointedly. Molly looked unhappy about what her husband had said but didn’t go against him. Albus said his hellos, but Harry was skittish around the man, and Neville wouldn't come near him at all. Only the Weasley children were comfortable around the old man. If looks could kill, Augusta Longbottom would have needed to be taken in by Amelia because she was shooting arrows at the Headmaster. At the end of five minutes, Anwen walked him to the gate. “I so wanted you to wait and then let us introduce Harry to you in our way. He hasn't seen you for a long time, and with everything he has been through…why couldn't you just wait for us to contact you?” Anwen begged. “Anwen, he is the saviour of our world “” “No, he’s not. He’s a little boy. We don’t even know what happened to him in that nursery. All we can be sure of is that he was in there with his dead mummy, who he watched being murdered. His father had just been murdered downstairs. Those are the only facts that matter. He isn’t your standard-bearer. Doing that to James and Lily got them killed. Please, let us contact you the next time; and don’t hold your breath waiting for your invitation,” she said, holding the gate open for him. “Oh, and do tell whoever you have out there spying on us, tell them to go home. I knew they were out there and charmed the keep, so what they're seeing isn't really what's happening inside. We are more than capable of protecting ourselves; I don't need one of your sycophants watching for when the lights go out at night." Anwen pulled the gate shut, and Dumbledore stood on the outside, realizing he could no longer see her, even though he felt her magical energy only a few inches away. Disgusted, she turned and left the old man standing alone. |
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