Valerius, Sirius Black, and Cecilia stood at the edge of Privet Drive, shrouded in Disillusionment Charms. The still night surrounded them as they looked toward Number 4, the house that had kept Harry Potter hidden and neglected for years. Valerius's face remained cold and calculated, but Sirius's was filled with years of pent-up frustration.
"I should've come for him sooner," Sirius muttered, his voice thick with guilt as he gazed at the home that had imprisoned his godson in a life of misery.
Cecilia placed a comforting hand on Sirius's arm. "You're here now, Uncle. That's what matters."
Valerius moved forward, his wand already raised. "Obliviate the Dursleys. No reason to let them keep their memories of Harry."
Without hesitation, Valerius entered the house, casting the memory-erasing spell on the unsuspecting family sitting in the living room. They wouldn't remember a thing about Harry, and it was better that way. With the Dursleys taken care of, the trio made their way upstairs to where Harry was waiting, unaware of the life that was about to change for him.
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They reached the small, cramped room where Harry had spent most of his life. The door creaked open with a flick of Valerius's wand, revealing Harry sitting quietly on his bed, a letter from Hogwarts clutched tightly in his hand.
Harry looked up, startled by the sudden intrusion. His eyes fell on the three strangers standing in his doorway, their expressions filled with a mix of urgency and emotion.
Sirius stepped forward, his heart pounding. "Harry, I'm your godfather. My name is Sirius Black."
Harry blinked, surprise flashing in his eyes. "Godfather?" he repeated, his voice quiet, unsure. He had never been told much about his parents, let alone that he had a godfather.
A small smile tugged at Sirius's lips as he knelt before Harry, his voice softening. "Yes, your parents—James and Lily—made me your godfather before you were even born. I've wanted to be here for you, Harry, but things… happened. I've been waiting for this day for a long time."
For a moment, Harry just stared at him, trying to process the idea. He had grown up feeling like he had no one. Now, out of nowhere, this man was telling him that he had a godfather, someone who cared about him all along. Slowly, a small smile began to form on Harry's face. He didn't know the details of what happened to his parents, but for now, that didn't matter. He had a godfather.
"You're my godfather?" Harry asked again, his tone brightening with a glimmer of hope. "That means… I have family?"
Sirius nodded, his eyes filling with emotion. "Yes, Harry. You have family, and I'm here to take you away from this place."
Harry's heart swelled with joy. For the first time, he felt a sense of connection, a sense of belonging. He wasn't alone anymore.
Valerius, standing just behind Sirius, added in his calm, authoritative voice, "You've been living here long enough, Harry. We're taking you somewhere safe. Somewhere you belong."
Harry looked from Sirius to Valerius, his mind still reeling. He didn't fully understand what had happened to his parents or why these people had come for him, but in this moment, he didn't care. He had a godfather, and that was enough.
Cecilia, standing nearby, smiled warmly. "I'm your cousin, Harry. My name is Cecilia Black, and we're going to take care of you now."
Harry stared at her, feeling overwhelmed but not in a bad way. He had been treated so cruelly by the Dursleys for so long that the kindness he saw in their eyes felt almost unreal. But he wanted to believe it.
"Are you really taking me away from here?" Harry asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sirius smiled, his eyes softening. "Yes, Harry. You're coming with us, and we're going to make sure you never have to come back here again."
Harry's face lit up with a mixture of relief and excitement. "When do we leave?"
Valerius gave a small nod of approval, pleased to see Harry's willingness to leave the Dursleys behind. "Right now."
With a flick of his wand, Valerius disillusioned Harry, just as he had done for the others. "We need to leave before the Ministry gets wind of this."
A moment later, they arrived at Black Manor, the ancient home of the Black family, its towering structure casting long shadows in the moonlight. Harry stared in awe at the grand gates, the mansion so unlike anything he had ever seen. It was nothing like the drab, gray walls of Privet Drive.
"Welcome to Black Manor," Sirius said with a smile. "This is where you'll be staying, Harry."
As they walked through the grand hall, filled with the echoes of a long magical history, Harry felt a strange sense of comfort. The house, though vast and intimidating, felt welcoming in a way the Dursleys' house never had. He belonged here. For the first time, he felt like he had a place he could call home.
Cecilia guided Harry to a chair near the fireplace, where the warmth of the flames flickered gently. "There's a lot you'll need to learn about our world, Harry, but we'll be here to help you through all of it," she said kindly.
Harry nodded, his mind still racing. He didn't fully understand everything yet, but he didn't care. He had a godfather now—someone who actually cared about him. That was all he needed to know right now.
Sirius knelt in front of Harry, his eyes filled with emotion. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I should've been here for you sooner. But I promise you, from this moment on, you'll always have me. You'll always have family."
Harry smiled softly, feeling the warmth of Sirius's words. He had been alone for so long, but now, that was all changing. He had someone who cared about him, someone who wanted to be there for him.
Valerius watched the scene unfold in silence, his mind already planning the next steps. Harry was safe, and soon, he would be introduced to the world he truly belonged to. But for now, Valerius let the boy savor this moment—a moment of peace and belonging that had been long overdue.
As the fire crackled in the hearth and the warmth of Black Manor wrapped around Harry, he let out a small sigh of contentment. For the first time in his life, he wasn't afraid of what was to come. He had a godfather, a cousin, and a place where he felt like he truly belonged.
But while Harry was settling into his new life, Valerius knew there was still more to be done. Ensuring Harry's safety was only the first step. Sirius needed to officially become Harry's magical guardian, solidifying his position as the protector of the Boy Who Lived.
A few days later, Valerius and Sirius stood outside the grand atrium of the Ministry of Magic, Harry by their side. The sleek marble floors and towering golden statues loomed over them as witches and wizards bustled about, casting curious glances in their direction. Sirius, though calm on the surface, couldn't hide the emotion in his eyes. He was finally going to make it official—he was going to be Harry's guardian, something that had been stolen from him twelve years ago.
Valerius had ensured everything was in order. He had gathered the necessary paperwork, along with the proof of Sirius's innocence and his rightful claim as Harry's godfather. The process was carefully calculated, as Valerius knew they couldn't afford any mistakes when it came to the Ministry.
As they reached the Guardianship Office, a stern-looking witch greeted them at the door. "Name?" she asked briskly, her quill already poised over a long roll of parchment.
"Sirius Orion Black," Sirius said firmly, his voice clear. "I'm here to file for magical guardianship of my godson, Harry James Potter."
The witch's eyes widened slightly at the name, but she quickly regained her composure. "You'll need to provide proof of guardianship rights and verification from a member of the Wizengamot."
Valerius stepped forward, presenting a stack of documents. "I've prepared everything. Proof of Sirius Black's innocence in the matter of the Potters' betrayal, sworn testimonies from key members of the Wizengamot, and the original guardianship document signed by James and Lily Potter."
The witch's expression softened slightly as she scanned through the papers. "Very well. Follow me."
They were led into a large chamber where an official from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement reviewed the paperwork with scrutiny. After what felt like an eternity, the official finally looked up, nodding.
"All is in order," he said, his voice formal but respectful. "Sirius Orion Black, you are hereby reinstated as the magical guardian of Harry James Potter, effective immediately."
Sirius let out a breath of relief, his hand instinctively resting on Harry's shoulder. "Thank you," he said quietly, his voice filled with emotion.
Harry looked up at his godfather with wide eyes. He didn't fully understand the weight of what had just happened, but he could feel the importance of the moment. For the first time in his life, he wasn't just an afterthought. He had a guardian, someone who wanted him, who would protect him no matter what.
As they left the Ministry, Sirius smiled down at Harry. "You're safe now, Harry. And I swear, I'll always be here for you."
Back at Black Manor, Harry quickly found himself immersed in the world of magic. Though he hadn't yet started Hogwarts, his new family made sure he wouldn't fall behind. It wasn't long before Cecilia began teaching him the art of Occlumency, a form of mental defense that would help protect his mind from intrusion—a skill she knew would be invaluable to Harry in the years to come.
Cecilia was patient, her voice calm as she guided Harry through the exercises. "Occlumency is about controlling your thoughts, Harry. It's about protecting your mind from those who would use it against you. You'll need focus and discipline, but I know you can do this."
At first, Harry struggled to block out his emotions. His memories of life with the Dursleys, his confusion about his parents, and the flood of new experiences all seemed to clash inside his head. But under Cecilia's careful guidance, he slowly began to understand how to quiet his thoughts, to clear his mind of distractions.
"You're doing well, Harry," Cecilia said with a smile, watching as Harry practiced. "It will take time, but you'll get better at it. The more you train, the more control you'll have over your own mind."
Harry nodded, his expression set with determination. He wanted to make his family proud, and he knew that immersing himself in the magical world was the first step in truly embracing his heritage.
Over time, Harry learned much about Valerius from Cecilia, who spoke of him with admiration. Valerius's brilliance was clear from her words, and Harry's perception of him grew with each story she told.
Harry's Impression of Valerius:
- A genius wizard with unmatched skill
- Handsome and confident
- An exceptional prodigy who even advised professors at times
- A successful entrepreneur, running an industry in Germany
Harry saw how Cecilia's admiration for Valerius glowed in her eyes, and Sirius noticed too, though he gave a resigned sigh. "Well," Sirius thought, "my niece has chosen a good one."
Meanwhile, the clock struck midnight, signaling the beginning of something momentous.
In his office at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore received a letter informing him of the transfer of guardianship to Sirius Black. It was official and binding, citing an ancient family document recently unearthed in Black Manor.
Dumbledore's expression remained impassive as he scanned the contents. He had ignored the trial at the Wizengamot, dismissing it as a minor distraction. A dog was a dog, he thought—a tool that should obey its master. Yet something about this transfer was different. Sirius had made a bold move, taking action on his own without consulting Dumbledore.
For the first time in years, a chill of uncertainty crept up Dumbledore's spine as he realized he was no longer the sole puppeteer pulling the strings around Harry Potter.