There was a tense silence at the breakfast table broken only by the sounds of cutlery scraping the plates. Sirius could understand: Remus had hardly endeared himself to Harry and his mates this morning so they were all currently ignoring his presence. Sirius could appreciate that it might have been a bit of a shock seeing Harry's choice of clothing, especially as he had a feeling Lyall Lupin was even more prejudiced against such things than his own mother, but that didn't mean that he should have commented on it, especially not in a derogatory way. Harry seemed to have gotten a little closer with his mates, though, so that something at least. The other end of the table might have been quiet but the tension was towards the others, and between themselves. It was a sharp contrast to Sirius' end of the table although it probably didn't help that Greyback was flirting with him right in front of Remus. It was nothing major, just winking at him and pinching food off his plate, but it was causing Remus to scowl. The only reason Sirius didn't tell him to stop, well other than the fact that it was doing his ego wonders, was the fact that Remus's scowls didn't seem to be directed at either him or Greyback, just his plate, so Sirius couldn't be completely sure what the issue was.
Harry, who had been looking out the window, suddenly turned to the Dark Lord.
"It looks like it's going to be a nice day today. I was just thinking it would be nice to have a picnic for lunch. You and Severus can join me since we haven't really had the chance to do anything together since we got here."
Voldemort sighed. "I don't know about today, I'm afraid. I have a meeting with Cobin Yaxley to talk about going to find Barty and I've no idea how long I'm going to be. Perhaps tomorrow."
Harry pouted and turned his puppy dog eyes on the man and Sirius was, for once, actually grateful that Harry was mated to the Dark Lord since he was probably the only person that might be able to hold up against such a look.
"Please. We've been here for a couple of days already and we haven't actually done anything as a triad. How are we supposed to have a relationship if I never see either of you?"
"I know Pet and I want us to spend some time together as well but I'm afraid I can't leave one of my followers to suffer longer than they need to. I promise I will try to be as quick as I can but if I can't make it then you are free to pester me when I get back, especially as I will likely only have correspondence to deal with then and I'll be glad of a distraction."
"Fine," Harry huffed before turning the look on Severus. "You'll join me, though, won't you Severus?"
"I don't know Harry. I was hoping to go down to talk to the werewolf healer this morning to discuss how to vary brews to better suit werewolf physiognomy." Sirius had to admit that his respect for Snape jumped up a notch at that as he was sure he would have crumpled like cheap robes if Harry had turned that look on him and given him anything he asked for.
"But you have to stop for food at some stage so there's no reason you can't join me for a picnic," Harry insisted.
"I don't know how long I'll be though," Snape argued.
Harry shrugged. "That's fine, I can take a book and do some reading while I wait."
"I'd give up if I were you, Snape," Greyback chuckled when it looked like Snape was going to argue some more. "The Pup's got an idea in his head and unless you want to risk him following you to meet Link and pestering you the whole time you're better off admitting defeat."
"Thank you, Greyback," Harry said, flashing a winning smile at the werewolf.
"Yes, thank you Greyback," Severus grouced. "Fine Harry, I will join you for a picnic as soon as I'm finished but not a second before and I might not be able to stay long if the werewolves need a lot of potions."
"Link's been getting by," Greyback admitted, "but I know Deliah and Jennifer would be happy with some good prenatal potions to make sure the baby's got the best."
"Deliah's pregnant!" Sirius exclaimed.
"No," Greyback laughed, "at least not as far as I'm aware, but Jennifer is her daughter and she's very concerned about getting the best for her first grandchild, especially as it will be the first time in decades that a pack has been able to have three generations all living together."
"Why is that?" Remus asked.
"Hunters," Greyback stated. "Most of the packs are constantly on the run which makes pregnancy difficult at the best of times not to mention the issues of older or wounded individuals who can't always keep up with the pack."
"So what, you just leave them?" Remus scowled and Greyback frowned.
"Never! A good alpha will never leave any if their pack. Like most cowards the hunters usually target the weaker ones, including children, anything to reduce our numbers and try to wipe us out."
"If they hate werewolves that much then why didn't they just kill me?" Remus questioned. "It's not like they didn't have a chance."
"I'll bet money that it was mostly your mum that stayed his hand, from what you said last night," Greyback reasoned, "though it probably put some strain on her relationship with your father, at least until he realised you could be useful."
That caused Remus to flinch. Before he could say anything else, however, Suleiman came into the portrait frame that was in the Dining Hall.
"Good morning family and esteemed guests, I've come to find out how you are all settling in and I can see you've added a few extra to your numbers since you arrived."
"Good morning Suleiman," Harry smiled. "We're settling in very well, thank you. It's a wonderful castle you have here although I haven't had much chance to explore yet."
"Well let me know when you're ready and I'll walk around with you," Suleiman offered. "Unsurprisingly I know all the secret passages and things."
Harry's face lit up at the idea and Sirius had to admit he was also intrigued.
"May I ask who you are?" Remus queried.
"My apologies for being so rude," Suleiman bowed. "I am Suleiman the Black, first of that name."
Remus openly gaped. "You're the founder of the Black line!"
"Yes, I came over from the Ghanaian empire to open trade negotiations and stayed to work as a diplomat."
Remus frowned. "If that's the case why is the family motto in French?"
Suleiman laughed. "Originally it wasn't. When I first arrived in England, Henry I was very much trying to establish himself as an English King as opposed to his brother who was the Duke of Normandy at the time. It's part of why he married a woman who was descended from the Kings of Wessex, specifically from Alfred the Great. As such it would have been very unseemly to have a French motto in the English court. It was originally in Latin but changed later when French became more fashionable."
"So it was originally sempre pura?" Remus queried.
"No," Suleiman chuckled. "It was originally sempre paratus, which means always ready for those of you who aren't up on your latin. A very appropriate motto in medieval times I can assure you but not so welcome in times of peace."
"Why was it changed to always pure so, what, we wouldn't seem as threatening?" Sirius asked, feeling confused but a little elated. His mother had always taken great pride in their family motto and the history behind that and the idea that it was all based on a load of bollocks really tickled him.
"Yes," Suliman nodded. "It was during the witch hunts in the 17th century. Starting with James I, people started taking a very strong view against anything different and even the slightest thing could result in a person being accused and, almost certainly, killed. It's why the Statute of Secrecy was enacted and, at the same time, it became almost necessary for wizards to distance themselves from other creatures as well, since even half breeds usually looked too different which caused questions to be asked. It's why the motto was changed to Toujour pur, claiming the original was sempre puratas not paratus. Thankfully people's Latin was almost as bad then as it is now and nobody called the family out given that puratas isn't actually a word."
"I thought the witch hunts mostly took place in the medieval times," Remus said. "At least that's what we were always taught in History of Magic lessons and what is written in Bathilda Bagshot's book."
"That charlatan!" exclaimed a disembodied voice and Phineas Nigellus came storming into the frame next to his ancestor. "I can't believe they still let that trash be taught!"
"What's wrong with Bathilda Bagshot?" Tom queried.
"What's right with her more like!" Phineas huffed. "The idea that any witch or wizard could simply freeze any flames as they were burning, without a wand and with their hands tied behind their backs is laughable. I'm not denying Gwendolin the Weird didn't exist, I'm just saying her abilities were the exception and not the norm. Unfortunately, like most Ministry approved literature, it's about whitewashing history and painting muggles to be harmless nuisances as opposed to the threats they are."
"So you are for the elimination of muggles!" Remus yelled, standing up and slamming his hands on the table.
"No I am not!" Phineas insisted. "However I am aware of the threat they pose to our society and believe we should take appropriate actions to protect ourselves."
"I completely agree," the Dark Lord smiled.
"You agree!" Remus exclaimed. "But I thought you were all about pureblood supremacy."
"Not likely," Voldemort scoffed. "There may have been some among my followers that believed that but it would be a little hypocritical of me to preach pureblood supremacy given that I am the offspring of a pureblood witch and a muggle and even at the age of 18 was significantly stronger than my grandfather and uncle combined. If anything I am the living embodiment of why some variation in genetics is necessary."
"Dumbledore does like to spread his propaganda though," Snape sighed. "I did always say you should write your plans down so people actually know what you stand for instead of hearing second hand misinformation."
"I know dear and I'm working on it," Voldemort smiled. "My primary goal, after seeing to the welfare of my followers, is to try to organise a meeting with other magical creatures equally."
"An excellent idea," Suleiman agreed. "I will admit magic was a lot stronger in my day before the idea of wizard supremacy."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
Suleiman smiled at him. "When I came to this country creatures were almost venerated since they were usually more powerful than us."
"Since when?" Remus scoffed in disbelief.
"Since always," Suleiman replied. "Most witches and wizards struggle to do magic without a wand yet many creatures, such as elves and goblins, can do it without issue. One of the reasons why elves and goblins were prevented from having wands was a way of trying to even the field."
"So much for wizards being superior," Greyback chuckled.
"Indeed," Suleiman smiled. "In fact there was a school of thought who believed that it was having children with creatures that allowed humans to originally gain magic in the first place."
"So you have no issue with family members being with creatures then?" Remus queried, looking confused.
"Of course not," Suleiman smiled. "I married a Veela myself. I had never met one until Lord Armand Malfoy introduced me to one and I believe the feeling was mutual. We were very happy together though and you can see her influence to this day in the grey eyes that often turn up and the occasional blonde."
"The green eyes come from a hag I do believe," Phineas Nigellus mused.
"A hag!" Sirius spluttered. "Why would anyone want to get together with a hag?"
"Actually there is some evidence that beautification potions have quite an effect on hags' appearances," Snape pointed out.
"Unfortunately it does nothing for their taste for flesh, especially that of young children," Suleiman sighed. "I remember the house elves had quite a time keeping the children away from her until they started school although it did encourage her to keep getting pregnant. They had nine children by the end I believe."
"Nine!" Harry exclaimed. "I didn't think any pureblood families had that many children other than the Weasleys."
"Actually the Black have often had numerous children," Phineas Nigellus smiled. "Most of us who married and had children had at least two even in the later years. I myself had five."
"Five seems a little more manageable," Harry mused.
"I wouldn't get ahead of yourself if I were you," Snape cautioned.
"I won't but I imagine that you will each want at least one child as an heir and then I'll need a Black heir unless Sirius plans on having any legitimate children," Harry pointed out.
"I don't think any more children are in my future," Sirius sighed.
"Really why?" Harry asked.
"Because I like men and don't have the ability to have children," Sirius explained, pointedly not looking at Remus.
Remus didn't seem to notice however. "It's because I've been taking Wolfsbane potion and one of the side effects is that it takes away a person's ability to have children."
"And you took it willingly?" Harry gaped.
Remus scowled. "Not all of us were lucky enough to have support for our abilities."
Sirius gulped. Admittedly he hadn't known it was an option at the time but he realises now that he should have done more to reassure his mate that he was accepted no matter what. He liked to think that he was a supportive partner but, in hindsight, he hadn't actually said that he loved Remus all that often when they were together and he didn't think he ever told Remus that he accepted him just the way he was. He hadn't had much experience with what constituted a good or healthy relationship but that didn't mean that he couldn't have done more and he wanted to try and do right by his mate now, even if Remus wanted nothing more to do with him in the future.
Phineas Nigellus looked at Remus quizzically. "You wouldn't happen to be Remus Lupin would you?"
Remus frowned. "Um yes, why do you ask?"
"Oh no real reason. Dumbledore had been complaining about you getting captured," Phineas Nigellus explained. "I was going to suggest you talk to Fenrir Greyback, the one who is meant to have captured him, but obviously there is no need now."
"Dumbledore was worried about me?" Remus queried.
"I wouldn't say worried per se," Phineas Nigellus muttered.
Remus scowled. "What did he say exactly then?"
"I don't think you need to hear that son," Phineas Nigellus cautioned.
Remus shook his head. "Actually I think that's exactly what I need. I've learned a lot about this side of things since I've been here but it will do me good to hear what Dumbledore actually thinks of me behind my back."
Phineas Nigellus sighed. "He was moaning because you'd gotten yourself captured before he could get you to check Grimmauld Place to try to pick up Harry's scent. He said that you had either been killed outright or, and I quote, had rolled over for Greyback like the bitch you are and were probably already pregnant by him."
Remus went pale at his words.
Sirius was shocked for a different reason however.
"Dumbledore knew you could have children."
Remus nodded shakily. "I always assumed he'd heard from my father. When we got together he cautioned me against it and warned me about your family's attitudes towards anything different."
"That's bollocks Remus. I know I never said it but you know I never believed in anything my parents did."
"I wanted to trust that, trust you, but there were too many voices of doubt," Remus sobbed. "You were the one good thing in my life. Sure there was James and Peter but you were mine and I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. When I thought you had betrayed us I figured it was only fitting because it would take another monster to love something like me."
"You are not a monster!" Greyback growled.
"That's not what the scars on my back say," Remus chuckled mirthlessly.
"Then fix them," Harry stated. "Trust me when I say a change is a good way to help break from the past." He turned to look at Severus. "There must be a way to help him right?"
Remus frowned. "Why are you helping me? I didn't think you liked me."
"I don't," Harry shrugged. "You abandoned my father and left me to be abused by people who weren't even my relatives. Sorry but it's going to take a little time for me to forgive you. That doesn't mean I want you to suffer though."
Remus smiled. "I think you may have gotten the best out of both of your parents: James' determination and Sirius's caring nature."Thank you," Harry said, offering a small smile. It warmed Sirius's heart to see his mate and son making steps towards reconciliation, even if it was early days yet. No matter what happened in the future, a part of him would always love Remus and would always want him to play some role in his life, even if it was just as a friend, and it would definitely be better if he and Harry were at least amicable.
"So should we all go down to the werewolf pack together?" Sirius suggested, wanting to do anything he could to help Remus get better.
Remus hesitated. "Actually I'd rather you didn't come."
"Oh," Sirius said, "um, ok. Sure I guess but are you going to be ok going on your own?"
"I don't know, but I don't want you to actually see it and think any less of me," Remus admitted.
"I won't think less of you for what you've had to endure," Sirius insisted but Remus shook his head.
"I'll go with him and make sure our cub is well looked after," Greyback suggested.
"Thank you," Remus said to the other werewolf, giving him a relieved smile.
"Oh sure," Sirius huffed. "You can't have your mate thinking less of you but it's fine if Greyback does." He knew he was pouting a bit and acting like a spoiled child but he couldn't help it. He was jealous of the fact that Remus felt more comfortable relying on the other man than on him.
"Sometimes it's easier to accept help from a stranger than someone you care about," Snape offered, being surprisingly supportive in this situation.
"Plus you're working on the assumption that I care what Greyback thinks of me," Remus chuckled in a somewhat self-deprecating way.
"I suppose," Sirius grouced. He could accept the premise but that didn't mean he had to like it. It still hurt to think that Remus didn't feel like he could rely on him. "What am I supposed to do while you're all off doing that though."
"We could take that tour of the castle," Harry suggested. "It's not like I have anything to do before lunchtime either."
That brightened Sirius's mood a little bit. He certainly wouldn't say no to spending some more time with his son. He may have missed out on Harry's formative years but that didn't mean that he didn't have a place in Harry's life now and he was enjoying getting to know the boy. He was very impressed with what he'd seen of the young man thus far and was looking forward to seeing him become a great man some day.
"If you're planning on going for a tour may I suggest you pop in to the portrait gallery," Phineas Nigellus said. "Your arrival caused quite the stir I must say and all of your relatives are desperate to meet you."
"Will my father be there?" Sirius asked, feeling the icy fingers of dread wrap around his heart. His mother may have been the one to actually cause all of the issues with him but his father had never said anything against her and Sirius wasn't quite sure what sort of reception he would get from the man.
"He will be there," Phineas Nigellus admitted, "but he desperately wants to talk to you to explain things."
"I don't know," Sirius sighed, "that was a very dark period in my life."
"All the more reason to try and get closure," Harry suggested, "and I'll be with you for support."
"I honestly think it will help," Phineas Nigellus encouraged. "I know your mother often made out that you were different, a black sheep in the family if you were, but I can assure you that is very much not the case."
That got Sirius's attention. He always assumed that his family members were all the same as his mother but if they weren't, well that changed things and he had a sudden urge to find out just what he'd been missing out on all these years.