Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Exotic ❯ Chapter 05 ( Chapter 5 )

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Exotic

Chapter 05

Grinning like a madman Sirius slid through the shadows of the manor. Got'em again. Did they really think that a simple “stay in this room, or …” would really impress him. Sure, they could put that collar around his neck, and make sure that the wards wouldn't let him escape from the manor, but as long as they didn't find anything more severe as a punishment, the whole manor was free game. And being the master prankster he still was, especially nasty little Snivellus was a never ending source of amusement.

 

True, by now he had learned to ward his potion cabinet, a precaution necessary due to the curiosity of a certain animagus who was delighted to find out what happened when you mixed a copious amount of hair growth potion with shampoo. Who would have thought that it took a whole day to stop growing? Snivellus didn't take the comment on the newly grown hair not being as greasy as the old one too kindly. Absolutely no sense of humour.

 

Luci on the other side was a little different on the whole pranking matter. He really seemed to enjoy the hunt, the battle of wits, and after being caught he was punished in the most pleasurable manner, until his pride caved in and he started to beg. But Sirius made sure that the superior bastard would have to fight for it. He was not so easily swayed. On the other hand he had to admit to himself, and only himself, that considering the whole situation, things could have been worse.

 

While being an asshole most of the time, Sev seemed to be just the right thing for shy old Moony. His eyes would soften any time he laid them on the werewolf, and he even admitted him to his potions lab, once he found out that Moony was indeed educated in this fine art.

 

Lucius on the other hand seemed to revel in Sirius own fiery character. Since none of their masters knew their true names and considering Padfood too common, Lucius continued calling him fiery one, beautiful or beloved, making the Sirius blush fiercely.

 

Harry didn't seem to have problems with the brat, pardon, the young Malfoy heir as well. He even seemed to like him pretty much. And since none of them were ever treated badly, except for some spanking sessions dealt to Sirius own bum, the animagus felt quite content with staying here for a while.

 

Eyes twinkling with glee he carefully entered the deserted library. He really liked this room. It reminded him of his own childhood, sometimes it soothed him, sometimes he felt saddened with nostalgia. He wondered what had happened to the rest of the Blacks. He knew about Narcissa's death, having asked Lucius pretty early on if his wife didn't mind his perverse activities with other men. Strangely he felt down for several days, even if he had never been really close to her. Contrary to Bellatrix, Narcissa never had raised a hand against him. She had been quite content with playing the noble wife and mother, all for the family.

 

Sirius sighed glumly. He had spent so many years detesting who he was, but he couldn't fight the bonds he had with his family. He worried. The war had been long and bloody. Bellatrix was the only one he hoped to be dead. After all she had tried to kill him when he didn't side with her husband's insane plans on ridding the world from anything muggle. If she were still alive he truly hoped she still considered him dead.

 

Wandering aimlessly through the room, eyes trailing over the various books on display, he came to a halt in front of Lucius work desk, where he did most of his researches. As far as Sirius knew Lucius was deeply involved into his Lords politics, often researching old or even ancient laws and traditions, finding out why they were abolished, and considering if they could be put into practice again, mostly in a slightly changed form. Especially when it came to reintegration of magical creatures, old law was often more progressive.

 

Sirius had been drawn to some of the old tomes himself, of course outright refusing to help the older pureblood. It wasn't helping after all when Lucius found the open books where Sirius just forgot them. Pure accident when they were opened on the exact page where something Malfoy had searched for was written. Right.

 

Gingerly Sirius skimmed through the papers, not wanting to alert Lucius to his curiosity. Ancient family trees. Sirius frowned. Researching the old pureblood families. Whatever for? He froze when he came upon an old yet precious looking book. He knew that signet. The Black family. His family. Sitting down on the comfortable leather chair he skimmed through the book with awe. This was a book that automatically added every newborn Black, and showed their time of death as well. The ministry had similar tomes. Trembling he turned the last page, and his thoughts came to a halt. Refusing to believe what was plainly in front of his eyes, he stroked softly over the magical words.

 

Rubbing his suddenly damp eyes, he looked again. Regulus was dead. The most annoying brat, the beloved little bastard … his little baby brother. That couldn't be right. Eyes roaming over the page he paled even more. He was the only one left. The only Black, except for Narcissa's boy. And Regulus was dead. Cold and buried some place Sirius didn't know. Was he placed in the family crypt, with his ancestors he valued so much? With his mother who drove the brothers apart with her insanity?

 

Sirius could feel a tremor in his belly, spreading through his body until he was shaking in violent waves. Tears streamed from his eyes, but Sirius couldn't bring himself to care anymore. He felt numb, frozen and unable to process what had happened. He and his little brother had fought so much, both thinking in their foolish youth that it was hatred what they felt. Now all he could think about was the moment when the newborn Regulus had been put into his big brother's arms for the first time. The awe and the pride little Sirius had felt. The promise that he would always look after him… How could he have let that happen? How could he have let him die?

 

In his grief he didn't notice door open, or the footstep coming closer. And he didn't feel the concerned eyes on him. Lucius' and Severus' eyes met with worry and confusion. During the past three weeks together they had never seen their puppy in such distress. They wouldn't have allowed it. He sure gave them as much grieve as he could, but if they had wanted a broken pet, they would have bought one. And Severus had often joked that Lucius needed someone who occasionally kicked his ass.

 

With great care Lucius tenderly touched the shoulder of the sobbing man. Large blue eyes, red from crying looked at him with utter despair. “What's wrong, love. What happened?” Sirius just looked up at him, unable to form any coherent thoughts.

 

Scoping his beloved up in his arms, ignoring the book tumbling to the ground, Lucius carried him to the safety of his bedchambers. To his uttermost astonishment he felt slender arms hug him back, wails of despair rising from his precious bundle. Hopefully their little wolf would be able to help.

 

Severus picked up the book the animagus had held. Frowning he searched for the reason of this outburst. When he reached the last page of the book his eyes widened. He remembered Regulus Black. And now that he thought about it, Padfood's face held astonishing similarities to Regulus'. Sirius Black. Could it be? The last Black. The one Bellatrix Lestrange supposedly killed after he refused to follow her cause. Yet according to this book he was still alive.

 

Severus frowned in thought, trying to remember as much as he could about Sirius Black. He shook his head. Sirius was the same age as he himself, while their little puppy looked far younger. Sure, in the magical world nothing was impossible. Hurrying after his lovers, Severus entered the bedroom intending to find out if this could be true.

 

When he entered he couldn't help but feel pity towards the sobbing man, who was cradled between Lucius und Moony, who stroked his face and asked him what was wrong. Yet Sirius seemed unable to speak.

 

Severus considered his options and came to the result to take the direct approach. They had to get to the bottom of this. “Are you Sirius Black?”

 

His question seemed to startle all of the bed's occupants. Slowly Severus got on the bed as well and crawled towards them. His face softened and his eyes took a warm shine. He tenderly stroked Sirius' tear streaked face. “Tell us, beloved. You don't have to be afraid.”

 

Sirius stared into the dark eyes of the potion master. He had been so afraid, although he would never admit it out loud. The last remaining Maurauders had been hunted for so long, what would happen if they were recognised? What would they do to Harry? But still, those eyes seemed to care so much. He made eye contact with Remus. Should he tell?

 

After a moment of hesitation Remus nodded. Sirius looked back at Severus and croaked out a faint “yes”.

 

 

 

 

 

Harry tiptoed softly through the cold hallways of the manor. He hoped to see his family again, the only two people in the world he would call that. He wanted to talk with them about the whole spouse thing. He needed to know that nothing would change between them. That they would still love him; make sure that he would see them as often as possible.

 

When he reached the rooms he knew was their masters', he carefully peeked through the slightly open door. There on the bed, fast asleep were all four of them. On the right side Remus and Sirius, curled against each other, behind Sirius was Severus with Lucius half on top of him. With growing worry Harry took in his godfathers pale complexion and tear streaked face. Deciding that the talk could wait he gave into the urge to be close to his family, and crawled carefully onto the bed.

 

He snuggled right between his uncles; just the way he did back in their cave when the nights grew cold or when he had a nightmare. And like back then he was welcomed without waking them up completely, and soon he fell asleep as well, in the warm comfortable cocoon of love.

 

Minutes later a disgruntled Draco appeared. He would never know how the little wildcat managed to just vanish in thin air. At least he was easy to find most of the time. Except when he went to explore the manor, then it took hours to find him.

 

His triumph at finding his prey so easily was replaced with wonder at the strange arrangement on the bed. It was still bright day out there, and all of the other inhabitants of the manor were asleep on the same bed. He scrutinized his little Harry in the middle of his pack, because he knew that the term somehow fit the group. He looked awfully comfy there.

 

He eyes wandered towards his own guardians. Should he? Contemplating the loss of dignity and the gain of comfort he slowly crawled towards his father and godfather. When he was little he often took comfort in their arms. His mother never had been the touchy feely type, while his father was very loving and tender in the privacy of his manor. Uncle Sev had fought against his feelings towards little Baby Draco, but the toddler had mad sure that he knew what was expected of him. If he wanted a cuddle, he got one. You just had to make sure from an early age on that every grown up knew their place.

 

With some shoving and groaning, Draco found himself right in the middle of the warm bundle. That was nice. He sighed. Warmth and contentment flooded his system, and slowly he succumbed to the call of sleep. Safe and warm, he could get used to that.