Chapter 185: Remus Lupin
Sirius paused for a moment and said,
"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you were born. You probably know... I was raised by our mother."
Phineas nodded.
"I know. That's why I never tried to save you all these years. If it weren't for Pettigrew hiding in the Weasley family and being close to Harry, I wouldn't have acted now either. I was afraid he might harm Harry."
Sirius gave a bitter smile.
"Still... thank you. That's him, isn't it? Harry?"
Phineas nodded.
"Of course. You must have guessed already."
Sirius studied Harry carefully, then smiled faintly.
"Yes... his face says it all."
He bent down and looked Harry in the eyes, his tone softening.
"Harry, you look just like your father—like you were carved from the same mold. But your eyes... has anyone told you they're Lily's? They're exactly the same. For a moment, it feels like she's here."
Harry stared at the unkempt man in front of him, unsure what to say. No one had ever spoken to him like that before. Even Hagrid, kind as he was, had never stirred this strange, unfamiliar warmth. Sirius felt... different. More personal. More real.
Phineas looked between them and sighed.
"Sirius, maybe you should get cleaned up and change your clothes?"
Sirius glanced down at himself and chuckled bitterly.
"My room's still there, right?"
Phineas nodded.
"Of course. I didn't bother changing everything in this huge house. And I knew you'd come back out eventually. If I hadn't acted now, you probably would've gotten out in a few more years anyway."
Sirius looked puzzled. Phineas just smiled.
"We'll talk more later."
He turned to Harry.
"Harry, I think it's time you learned more about the wizarding world. Kreacher, show him around the house."
At Phineas's words, the old house-elf appeared beside Harry and bowed low.
"Master Harry, please follow me."
Phineas gave Harry a reassuring nod, and Harry followed Kreacher out the door.
Sirius headed upstairs to his old room. His belongings were still there, and there was a bathroom nearby. Convenient.
Phineas, meanwhile, descended to the kitchen and informed the house-elf staff that there would be three—or possibly four—for dinner.
The potential fourth was Remus Lupin.
Lupin had once been a close friend of James, Sirius, and Pettigrew at Hogwarts. His father, a Ministry employee in the Werewolf Capture Unit, had angered Fenrir Greyback, who later bit Remus. Fortunately, Dumbledore had allowed him to attend Hogwarts. There, along with the others, they became the infamous Marauders—leaving Snape with a lifetime of grudges.
After graduation, everything fell apart. The Potters were murdered. Sirius was imprisoned. Pettigrew faked his death. Remus, isolated and stigmatized for being a werewolf, struggled through life.
A few years ago, Phineas had sought him out—recognizing the value of his experience for a potential werewolf combat unit—and brought him into the Black family fold.
Now that Sirius was free, Phineas expected Lupin might want to see him. Puff had gone to fetch him. Thanks to the Fidelius Charm on the house—with Phineas as Secret Keeper—Lupin could be brought straight in.
Still, there was no guarantee he'd come.
After a short while, Harry—bright-eyed and excited—and Sirius—looking somewhat wistful—joined Phineas in the dining room.
Phineas smiled at them.
"Sit where you like. We don't stand on ceremony here. The family hasn't had many elders around these last few years, so no need to be formal."
Sirius dropped into a chair, entirely at ease. Despite his noble upbringing, his rebellious streak had long since overridden any obsession with manners.
Harry, meanwhile, still seemed dazed. Only days ago, he'd learned that Phineas—his newly discovered uncle—had adopted him.
Now, here was his godfather, kind and familiar in a way Harry had never known. It all felt too good to be true.
If this was a dream, Harry didn't want to wake up.
Just then, a flash of light lit the room—Puff returned, bringing Lupin with him.
"Ah! Sirius!" Lupin said, visibly moved. "It's so good to see you again."
Sirius stood quickly and embraced him.
"Remus!"
"Why didn't you tell me you'd switched places with the Secret Keeper?"
"I'm sorry, Remus. There was a traitor in the Order, but we didn't know who it was."
"So, you suspected everyone... including me?"
Sirius fell silent.
Lupin chuckled lightly.
"Don't worry. We doubted you too. You were, after all, the Black family's heir."
Sirius blinked, then laughed too.
"Right. At the time, aside from James, Lily, and the Longbottoms, anyone could have been the traitor. We first planned to make me the Secret Keeper. But I got cocky and changed the plan."
He hesitated.
"No one imagined Pettigrew would betray them the very day we switched. But something felt wrong. When I rushed to Peter's house, it was already ransacked. That's when I knew... I was too late."