Remus came directly at five, spotted Sirius and wove his way to the table, a confused look plastered on his face. "Hello, Padfoot," he said as he sat down. He looked haggard, like he hadn't slept since Halloween. His trousers were faded and his jumper was rumpled. The jacket he took off was tweed and patched, it also looked like it had been taken off the floor and thrown on.
"Unca Mooy, Unca Mooy," Harry said bouncing in his highchair waving his torn apart sandwich. Remus smiled and ruffled the toddler's ever messy hair. Harry went back to his meal, and turned over his cup shaking milk onto the tray. Hydrus sighed and mopped it up with a napkin; he gently removed the cup and gave Harry the rest of his sandwich.
"Moony, old boy, great to see you," Sirius said sincerely. He then waved to the other occupant and introduced him. "Did you want dinner?"
"No, I ate already, you only mentioned cake," Remus said after the introductions, sparing only a curious look at Hydrus. "Now, I must confess that I am confused. I got a Floo call from Albus earlier. He wanted me to make sure you kept your promise not to take Harry away from the Dursleys. Yet, here he is. Did you lie to the headmaster?" his amber eyes showed disapproval.
"Nope, I told Albus I wouldn't take Harry away from the blood wards, and I haven't. However, I can't explain that to you here, so let's have some of that delicious smelling chocolate cake and we'll take you home and explain everything," Sirius said with a pointed look around the crowded eatery.
"There better be a good explanation, Padfoot," Remus grumbled with a firm glare.
"Oh, there will be."
The next twenty minutes was spent in casual conversation and the consumption of divine cake. Hydrus cleaned Harry as well as he could before they piled back into the car, making sure everyone was secure, and drove back to the house. Handing the food wearing, chocolate covered Harry off to Tippy, who glared at them, the men moved to the living room. They settled on the chairs and sofa, and looked at one another. Sirius broke the silence. "Why did Albus call you?"
"Well," Remus said as he ran a hand through his hair, "you know how you behaved in school?" He waited for the nod. "He was worried you would run off and do the wrong thing. He said that I was the only one who could talk you down."
"Little good that did in Hogwarts, I remember you pranking right along with us."
"Yeah, but, I have matured a bit more than you," the werewolf said jokingly. "Besides, with Harry here are you not you proving him correct? He told me about the blood wards, and I have to say I am disappointed in you for removing Harry from the Dursleys."
"I can swear that Harry is under the blood wards right this minute and I've never been to the Dursleys," Sirius answered. He was a bit hurt that the Headmaster and Remus thought he needed a babysitter.
"What? How?" came the confused questions.
Sirius looked at Hydrus who had been quiet up till now. "You want to explain?"
"I need a vow first," was the firm answer.
Remus looked at the other man and asked, "Who exactly are you? And what do you have to do with all of this? Not to be rude or anything, but I don't know you."
"Like Sirius told you, I'm his cousin and I'm the one who rescued Harry from the Dursleys. I can give you my word that I only want what's best for Harry. I've already given a vow to that effect."
"I only have your word on that," Remus said skeptically.
"No, you have mine as well," Sirius piped up in defense. "I made a vow to protect his and Harry's secrets and he told me his story. I promise you, Remus, you're going to want to hear this."
The werewolf looked at his only remaining friend, looked at Hydrus and then looked at the ceiling as if he could see Harry. This went on for five or so minutes. He then ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "What do you want me to say?" he finally asked.
"Just say you'll keep the secrets of Hydrus Williamsford Black and Harry James Potter," the immortal said in relief.
"Williamsford isn't a star name," Sirius said suddenly as if just realizing that. He hadn't paid attention to the name when he made his vow. "If you're supposed to be a Black you should have star names; both first and middle."
"Not that it is important right now, Padfoot, but the name was given to me by a very good friend. We figured since I'm supposed to be raised non-magical we could wave it off," Hydrus said with a small smile of remembrance.
"Yeah, I suppose, but…" Sirius trailed off, thinking about how his grandfather will react to him living with a Muggle-raised. Then again, he had no idea what the man was thinking anymore, his grandfather had been in self-imposed exile for years now. He hoped to get a letter for the old man soon, so he could tell him what was happening, well most of it. If he could get his approval the political backing would be very helpful.
"Like I said, not important, it is my legal and magical name," Hydrus snapped, drawing Sirius out of his thoughts.
Remus brought everyone's attention to him when he said, "I owe Albus a lot for getting me my education. You two are asking me to withhold some vital information from him," Remus said, running his hand through his hair again. It must be a nervous habit.
....
Can't wait to read ahead by more than 60 exciting premium chapters.
Then Join my p*atreon right now.
Link: p#atreon.com/InfinityWeaver (Remove the #)
Free members can unlock 2 chapters.