The following morning found Dumbledore, along with James and Lily, intercepting Sirius as he made his way to his duties, still buzzing from the high spirits of the previous night's prank war at the Black Castle. Sirius was in a particularly good mood because of the event, where teams led by Harry, Emma, and David on one side, and Sirius and Amelia on the other, had competed in a jovial battle of pranks under Susan's watchful eye as the referee. Though the contest ended without a declared winner, it left everyone with wildly colored hair, skin, and shoes, marking it as an evening of unforgettable fun.
However, Sirius's cheerful demeanor faltered when he encountered the trio, their serious expressions indicating the gravity of the situation. Yet, recalling the recent success of Harry's emancipation, a chuckle escaped him again, much to James's irritation.
"What's so amusing, Sirius? Is it funny to you, taking a child away from his parents?" James challenged, frustration evident in his voice.
To this, Sirius responded with a hint of triumph in his tone, "Actually, yes, it is. I find it quite amusing that I managed to protect my godson from being stripped of his rightful inheritance and from parents who clearly didn't prioritize his well-being."
Realizing the sensitivity of the topic and the unsuitability of their current location for such a discussion, Dumbledore intervened, suggesting, "Perhaps we should move this conversation to my office, where we can speak more privately. Would that be alright with you, Sirius?"
"Although I have no qualms discussing this matter here, I'll respect your wish for privacy," Sirius acquiesced, his agreement tinged with a note of sarcasm. He then followed the group to Dumbledore's office, continuing to hum his cheerful tune, much to James's annoyance. Despite his growing irritation, James remained silent, understanding the importance of Sirius's cooperation in unraveling the situation.
After they made themselves comfortable in Dumbledore's office and privacy spells were in place, Lily immediately directed her concern to Sirius, "Where's Harry, Sirius? Is he okay? Can I see him?"
Sirius responded bluntly, "Harry's better off without seeing any of you again. He has no desire to meet you. In fact, he hates you all, and for good reason."
Dumbledore, attempting to mediate, remarked, "Hate is quite a strong word, Sirius. Has Arcturus influenced Harry against his own parents? It wouldn't be surprising, coming from the Blacks."
"Grandfather didn't need to do anything. Harry's hate for you was cemented by your actions, not by any external influence," Sirius countered, making it clear that the fault lay entirely with Dumbledore and the Potters.
Lily, confused and seeking justification, insisted, "But he should understand why we had to send him away. The protections we set up at our new house could only safeguard three of us. There was no alternative but to send Harry to live elsewhere."
Sirius couldn't help but laugh at the explanation, "Do you actually buy that excuse? It might have held water if you'd actually lived like Hermits. But no, you've been out, going to parties, living it up, while Harry endured hardships among Muggles. He's well aware of the truth. He knows the only reason you sent him away was your preference for Charles to inherit the Potter legacy. There's no other explanation that makes any sense."
James tried to justify, "What does it matter? Charles needed the Heirship more. Harry shouldn't be so upset over a mere ring."
Sirius's response was cutting, "That coming from someone who flaunted his ring at Hogwarts for seven years and then sulked after losing the lordship test? You've become a hypocrite, James. Perhaps you always were, and I just didn't see it before."
The exchange laid bare the deep rifts and painful truths among them, with Sirius unafraid to voice the harsh realities that Dumbledore and the Potters were reluctant to acknowledge.
Dumbledore attempted to shift the focus, "Let's set aside the issue of the ring for a moment. Perhaps it would be beneficial for Harry to see his parents again. He's likely missed them after being apart for so long. They should have the opportunity to discuss and resolve their issues without external interference, Sirius."
However, Sirius stood firm in his stance, "While I'd prefer not to get involved, Harry has made it clear he never wants to see his parents again. He's asked me to convey his lack of forgiveness for being sent away to suffer in the muggle world while his family lived comfortably in the magical world."
James, dismissive of Harry's feelings, retorted, "What suffering? He was merely living without magic. He needs to get over it and return home. We'll be contesting his emancipation and have it reversed. You had no right to support his emancipation, Sirius."
Sirius, undeterred, responded, "Feel free to challenge it, but be prepared for everything to come out into the open. Initially, Harry was inclined to change his guardianship legally, exposing everything. However, he ultimately chose a different path to avoid tarnishing the Potter family's reputation. James, it would become public knowledge that you were manipulated into abandoning your own son."
James, stubbornly, said, "We're ready to face whatever comes. It's unacceptable for the Potter Heir to be influenced by those associated with Death Eaters. With our standing in the Wizengamot, we have a strong chance of winning."
Lily, driven by a desire to reunite with her son, declared, "I want Harry back, and I'm willing to fight for it. Sirius, please let us see him just once."
Sirius stood firm in his decision, "Be prepared for a legal battle then. Harry has no interest in seeing you." Then, turning to Dumbledore with a hint of sarcasm, he continued, "Professor! Surprised to see Harry's still alive, aren't you? You probably thought he was dead. I was curious about your reaction when you discovered he's been alive this whole time. The best joke was played by someone very close to Harry, who claims not to enjoy pranks. It appears these two know nothing about the supposed death of Harry. I'm eager to see how the wizarding world reacts to your true colors during the trial," Sirius added, his voice laced with anger.
Lily, confused and alarmed, asked, "What do you mean, 'Harry was dead'?"
Sirius explained, "Harry nearly died five years ago, right in your sister's home. If it hadn't been for his magic breaking through one of Dumbledore's spells, he wouldn't have made it through the night. It appears you're unaware of the life he endured with your sister. It was far from pleasant. Dumbledore has remained silent about this, or perhaps you never bothered to inquire about Harry after all these years."
Lily's eyes filled with guilt, prompting Sirius to add, "It seems I'm correct. You've neglected to keep tabs on your less famous son. I'll see you at the Wizengamot trial then. I have no desire to see you any longer."
James, trying to dismiss the claims, said, "Harry must have lied. Dumbledore had magical means to monitor him. I once checked, and it seemed Harry was well-adjusted in his new environment."
Sirius responded sharply, "Continue living in your fantasy. Dumbledore is well aware of the truth, and Harry is prepared to share his memories in front of the Wizengamot."
Dumbledore interjected, hoping to ease the tension, "Sirius, is this the path we must take? I acknowledge my failure to protect Harry, but James and Lily believed I was taking care of him. Now that Harry is living a better life, can't we leave the past behind?"
Sirius stood firm, his voice steady, "It's not all on you. Yes, you've made significant errors, but James and Lily share in the blame too. Harry's fully aware of the whole situation.
He's so adamant about not being hassled by you all that he's given me something quite revealing for you to see. Dumbledore, we're going to need your Pensieve."
Understanding the gravity of what Sirius intended, which could potentially spell trouble for him, Dumbledore nonetheless complied, signaling for a Hogwarts house elf to fetch the artifact. Upon its arrival, Sirius revealed a vial, within it a memory strand from Harry, and deposited its contents into the Pensieve.
"Take a look," Sirius urged them. "This will give you a glimpse into the 'wonderful' time Harry spent in the muggle world because of the decisions you made. Harry's ready to have these memories presented at the Wizengamot trial. Should this escalate to a public revelation, he's keen on ensuring you face the consequences of your actions."
The trio, filled with a sense of dread, touched the memories within the Pensieve. When they finally pulled away, the impact was immediately apparent. Lily was sobbing uncontrollably.
With a grave tone, Sirius continued, "Remember the final moment in those memories. Harry has a message for you—he said that the son you knew died that night. He also made it clear he'll never forgive you. If you keep bothering him, he's ready to expose everything and push for your prosecution, just to be free from your nuisance."
Sirius carefully retrieved the memory strand from the Pensieve, securing it once more, before preparing to leave the room. Pausing at the doorway, he offered a final piece of advice, "The choice of what to do next is yours, but be certain of one thing—Harry will never see you as family again. Pressuring him will only push him towards seeking retribution. Arcturus has been teaching him, both in matters of law and magic."
With those words hanging in the air, Sirius exited, leaving behind a heavy silence, punctuated only by Lily's continued sobs. Harry was not going to leave them alone though. Sirius was privy to Harry's plans for quiet revenge, aimed at gradually dismantling the reputations of the three in that room. Dumbledore was the principal target; Harry harbored a deep desire to see him kicked out from Hogwarts.
Lily, amidst her tears, voiced the fear that had taken root, "He'll never forgive us, will he, James?"
James, with a heavy heart, responded, "I wouldn't, if I were in his shoes. We should leave Harry be for now. Pushing him might only lead to our downfall, risking Charles's future and our own. Perhaps, in time, we might find a way to mend things."
Dumbledore, laden with regret, added, "I deeply apologize for my oversight. I failed to ensure Harry's well-being with Petunia. I'll attempt to reach out to Harry."
However, his words fell on deaf ears. Lily and James, overwhelmed by the weight of their realizations, silently departed Dumbledore's office, making their way back to the reality awaiting them at home.