Harry Potter, Sovereign - Chapter 32

They were resting after the meal. Fletcher had returned from Ollivanders and spoke lowly to the a.d.u.l.ts, confirming Harry’s words. Ollivander had even added that he had confidence the women with Harry would not harm him. That certainly helped Molly, Remus and Moody relax. At least until Harry spoke.

“So, Sirius. Want to get out this afternoon instead of staying in this dreary house?”

“What?” shouted Hermione.

“Harry! What are you saying?” said Remus.

“Harry!” continued Hermione. “Sirius is still a fugitive! It’s not safe for him to be out of the house!”

“Is that so?” he calmly replied. “Too bad there is nothing like glamours and notice-me-not charm to keep the authorities from noticing or recognising him” he said in fake wonder. “Too bad that there is no such thing as the Statute of Secrecy to prevent witches and wizards, even dark ones, from casting magic in the middle of a muggle crowd… Oh, wait” he finished in a deadpan.

Remus and Hermione looked at him akwardly. The other witches and wizards weren’t much better, while Sirius’ eyes were almost sparkling. He was nearly vibrating in anticipation.

“With Fudge’s influence lowered in favor of Madame Bones, it’s not like the dark side is going to show more signs of weird activities” he continued. “Like looking for me in each and every town and cities of the British Isles. So much activity on their parts would only attract the aurors attention.” Then his expression darkened. “I refused to stay prisoner in a home I hated. I damn well will not let my godfather be treated like a prisoner in this one. The last thing he needs is a second Azkaban.”

“Damn right” Sirius nearly shouted.

The others grimaced or twitched at the comparison.

“We are going out to have some fun. You either come with us or stay here, but don’t try to stop us” he said in a warning tone.

“Alright, let’s calm down” said Remus with a pacifying gesture. “Ok, maybe we have been too restrictive because of the security. Let’s all just go out. Like he said, no wizard would attack us in broad daylight in the middle of a crowded muggle area. Especially if we are in a group. And let’s be honest, it would be much better than spending the rest of day inside.”

In the background, Sirius was silently celebrating.

“Yes!” Ginny said. “We’ve been stuck in the house for days doing only chores. It’ll be nice to go out.”

“No! You children are going to stay here!”

“It’s summer break, mom” Ginny replied with some annoyance. “We should be allowed to have some fun.”

“Let them go Molly” Moody said, surprising everyone. “They won’t be alone, and like Harry said, it will be a lot less dangerous than we thought.”

He didn’t say that it was because it would be best to keep Harry happy for the time being. He also thought having his friends around would calm him down. Anyone with some sense would know that Harry would have a major role in the fight against Voldemort. It wouldn’t be good to push him further away than he already was.

“Yeah, right” said Sirius. “You would be right to be worried if it was just Dung looking out for them. After all, he did such a marvelous job with my godson” he said with disdain.

Harry froze, and he slowly turned his eyes to Mudungus. At his sides, and hidden in a corner, his summoned ladies tensed.

The seedy man was looking very uncomfortable. And guilty. This man, he realised, had been tasked to keep an eye on him while he was with the Dursley. He was worked like a slave, verbally abused, denied any significant contact and informations, and deprived of his owl. They had someone watch him while he suffered, and yet they didn’t help and kept him isolated. Worse, they used an unreliable scoundrel that skipped on his duties, since he wasn’t there when the dementors attacked. He would have known about the summoning otherwise, and he would have told the others.

Harry’s face turned expressionless. The air around him became heavy, and the nearby furnitures them started vibrating. Sirius released a small yelp of surprise. The teens took a step away from him with wide eyes. Remus and Moody looked worried, while Mudungus and Molly almost panicked. Harry closed his eyes and tightened his fists. His knuckles cracked, making the others flinch in fear. Noone of them tried to speak, in case it would make him lash out. The furnitures stopped vibrating, but the air remained heavy.

“Go prepare yourself Sirius” Harry said. “We’re leaving in 5min.”

“Ok…” he said slowly, relieved that he had calmed down. “Be back soon” he added as he rushed to his room.

“Your presence won’t be needed” Harry said to the remaining people, his eyes still closed.

“Harry” Hermione started, but couldn’t finish as the nearby coffee table shattered.

“Shut up” he said in a cold voice, eyes open and filled with the promise of pain if she didn’t comply.

He moved to the entrance hall, followed by Xuanzang, who looked at him worriedly. Vi had remained behind and looked at the distraught group.

“Y’know, I’m an orphan” she said. “I used to be a thief and gang leader. And we cared more about each other than you do about Harry.”

They, mostly Molly and Hermione, wanted to protest, but she silenced them with a glare and a raised hand.

“Don’t speak. Your words are worthless. Your actions, or rather lack of actions, showed it all.”

Sirius came down at that time, with brown hairs, green eyes, and slight alterations to his facial structure that made him look both familiar yet different. Enough that people wouldn’t make the connection to him. Vi grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him away.

“Not bad, dogfather” she said with a grin. “Let’s get out of here!”

Back in the house, Ginny turned to the a.d.u.l.ts and glared at them fiercly.

“Wonderfull!” she said with heavy sarcasm. “Now, because of you, he’s going to hate us!” she shouted with tears in the corner of her eyes.

She turned around and rushed to her room. The twins turned disappointed gazes to them and apparated back to their own room. Hermione was next to leave, with teary eyes as well. She secluded herself in the library. Then Ron left, going to his own room. Mudungus quickly made himself scarce, and Molly went her own way, complaining about how ‘Vicky’ was wrong.

Remus and Moody realised that they had lost Harry’s trust. The only thing tying him to them, meaning Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix, was Sirius. And that probably wouldn’t be enought to ensure his cooperation with them.