No, uh-uh, no way, I'm not having that bastard in my house," Sirius said vehemently, shaking his head.
"What's wrong with him?" Harry asked.
"That bastard is the one who attacked Remus and is the reason for all of his problems," Sirius explained.
"Then there is all the more reason to meet with him, to make sure he won't cause any more problems down the line," Tom stated.
"I won't risk having him anywhere near Harry," Sirius insisted.
"Be careful Black," Tom growled, "that sounded an awful lot like you were suggesting that I couldn't protect Harry, from one of my own followers at that. I strongly suggest you think before you talk in future."
A heavy presence had built in the room with each word Tom had spoken and Harry couldn't help but feel very reassured at how protective Tom was being of him, feeling safe and secure in what was probably quite an oppressive atmosphere to others, at least that was what he assumed by the look of fear that was now on Sirius's face.
"Look I get it, alright," Sirius gulped. "I know who you are, or were, or whatever, and it's great that you're actually protecting Harry instead of going after him, and I may be new to this whole father gig but you have to understand that I don't want to encourage dangerous elements, or more dangerous elements, in Harry's life."
"Which is all the more reason to meet with Greyback," Severus argued. "You're grandfather gave him and his pack amnesty which means he's already here so we had best make sure he understands that there is a new order in place. Plus, if he shows even a hint that he's a threat to Harry then we have excellent grounds to expel them from the grounds."
"If it helps I will also sweeten the deal Black," Tom added. "With Fenrir's pack I can set up a watch in Diagon Alley so that as soon as the Weasleys show up to buy school things we can cast the spell and reveal Peter in the middle of a busy street. I can't guarantee that it will instantly earn you your freedom, since Dumbledore seems determined to keep you and Harry apart, but it will mean that that rat sees justice and it should have the old coot floundering for an explanation."
"Ok," Sirius nodded, "I accept your reasoning and offer although I'm surprised that you're so willing to give up a loyal follower like that."
"Peter was never really a follower," Tom explained. "He came to me with the information that he was the secret keeper for the Potters the night before the attack and, at the time, I was not in my right mind enough to question it but, by your own admission, he had had access to that information for over a year by that point so I can only assume that he set me up for some reason."
"But what reason could he have for setting you up?" Sirius queried.
"I don't know," Tom admitted, "but a short stint in Azkaban after he loses his hiding spot and the light abandons him will make him a lot easier to question."
Sirius matched Tom's blood thirsty grin at that announcement and, for the first time since they'd left Privet Drive, Harry thought that there was actually a chance they could all get along.
Harry stood in front of the mirror later that evening pulling at the front of the trousers he'd been given to wear, much to the annoyance of Kaster, the house elf who'd come to help him dress. He'd been given some old robes of one of the Black children to wear for dinner that evening since the infamous Greyback would also be in attendance. Tom apparently wanted them to present a united front so had personally picked out Harry's outfit which was currently the only reason he was still wearing it.
The brocade frock coat was alright and Harry definitely liked the dark red, gold and black colour scheme. At first he thought it might be a little too warm until he remembered they were in a castle and this was northern England so, despite being summer, it was hardly scorching. The fit was ok as well since he'd gotten used to wearing stiff, form fitting material around his chest thanks to quidditch. The problem was the trousers which were also stiff and form fitting; a far cry from the baggy cast offs that he was used to wearing. Even his school trousers had been cut with a bit of room in, to account for the growth spurt that Madam Malkin assured him would happen, and never did. It was why the current ones felt so weird to him.
"You don't happen to have anything a bit roomier, do you?" Harry asked.
"Oh no's Master Harry," Kaster said, shaking his head. "The trousers be's especially cut to fit with the coat, anything else would affect how the robes flow. Those robes were specially made for the late Master Sirius Black's birthday but he's passed away before he's could wear them."
"I'm assuming you don't mean my dad," Harry grinned.
"No sirs, I's be referring to the older brother of Phineas Nigellus Black, your great-great-great grandfather, which would make young Sirius your great-great-great-great uncle. He was the heir but he died before his ninth birthday when he accidentally fell into a devil's snare when playing in the grounds," Kaster sighed.
Harry shuddered at the memory of his interactions with that plant but latched onto the other bit of information in that sentence. "If he wasn't even nine when these robes were made then no wonder they're tight, I am 13 now," he huffed.
"Actually the robes be's a bit long for you," Kaster grimaced, "but Master Sirius was quite tall for his age."
"You knew him?" Harry queried.
"Oh yes," Kaster nodded. "Elves can lives for a long time depending on the power of the house they serve."
"You mean the magical family?"
"No I means the house," Kaster insisted. "House elves serves the building, looking after it and, in turn, the building's magic helps sustain us. The stronger the building the stronger we are. Wixen be living in the houses which helps feed the house itself which is why house elves serves wixen. Without house we will grow weak very quickly."
"So do you earn a wage?" Harry asked.
"Nos sir," Kaster gasped. "House and family provide all an elf needs, especially in a place likes this. Would be greedy to ask for more. Most buildings not strong enough to support more than one or two elves so wes lucky here and would be greedy to ask for more, especially since the wolves came to help the land so wes gets time off."
"So you should," Harry stated, "and if there's anything I can do to make things better for you let me know."
"Yous can stop ruining your trousers," Kaster grinned.
Harry sighed but admitted defeat and went out into the main living area to meet Tom and Severus.
"You look beautiful Harry," Tom purred as Harry walked in.
Thank you," Harry blushed, the colour only deepening as Tom lifted his hand to place a kiss on the back of it. The man was looking quite fetching himself. The deep red robes he wore draped beautifully over his body, emphasising his strong, broad shoulders. It also seemed to highlight his eyes making him look like a true vampire of legend. Severus cut an imposing figure as well, still in his customary black robes, only this time with a gold trim which, along with Tom's robes, matched the colours in Harry's brocade coat making them feel like a proper group. Seeing them together Harry was very glad he hadn't pitched a fit and thrown the robes out. It was only a little discomfort after all, he could deal with that.
The trio headed down to the main reception room to wait for their guest. Sirius was already waiting, dressed in jeans and what Harry assumed was an old band t-shirt as if he was trying to antagonise someone. Tom just ignored him, however, and Severus simply shook his head at the man's antics, the way one might to a wayward child. Harry could only sigh at his father's antics. It was still a little strange to think of Sirius in that way but he was trying, mostly because he knew how much it meant to the man.
Thankfully they didn't have long to wait until Picky came in to announce their guest. The werewolf strode, practically radiating alpha from his imposing physique to his confident swagger. He seemed to eye up Sirius briefly, although that might have been because of the daggers he was staring at him since he then seemed to ignore Harry and Severus and looked straight at Tom.
"Welcome back my lord," he bowed, "it's good to see you looking well. Thank you for inviting me into your home."
"Arguably it's Harry and Sirius's home," Tom corrected, "I simply have the honour of being bound to the young man."
"Is that so?" Greyback murmured, now turning to eye Harry up speculatively. Harry felt quite exposed under the strong gaze and was now glad of the thick fabric covering him. "And are you ok with that Snape?"
Severus simply smirked. "Yes Greyback, although it is still early days so we haven't quite worked out all of the details, especially given Harry's young age. I'm sorry if the answer disappoints you but I'm afraid you'll have to try harder than that if you want to rattle us."
Greyback let out a barking laugh. "Do not worry yourself, I meant no harm, merely trying to get the lay of the land. Your broken bond caused quite a few issues last time around and I wanted to get the lay of the land before I risked putting my pack in danger again."
"Fear not Greyback," Tom reassured him, "I am in a much sounder mind this time around, mostly thanks to Harry. The house elves have also explained some of your situation, including the fact that hunters still roam the area so you needn't fear, we won't be sending you out unnecessarily, especially as it would be putting ourselves at risk as much as you."
"That's good to know," Greyback accepted, "and it will help ease a lot of the worries of my pack. There are a few who are expecting in the new year and they were most anxious about the idea of having to give birth on the run."
"Oh they don't have to worry about that," Harry said, jumping into the conversation, "I would never force a pregnant person out like that. Are your accommodations alright out there because there's plenty of room in the castle they needed somewhere more comfortable or warm."
The group stared at him with a mixture of shock and amazement. Greyback was the first to shake himself out of his stupor.
"Thank you, er, Harry. That is a kind offer but your but Arcturus made sure we would have more than adequate lodgings and the house elves have helped us maintain it over the years. Thank you for the consideration, though, I'm glad to see that the Black generosity has not been lost."
"What Black generosity?" Sirius scoffed.
"The one that allowed a werewolf pack to find shelter from those who would seek to harm us," Greyback growled. "And we weren't even charged for it! Arcturus would have offered sanctuary for free, it was us that offered to help tend the lands and woods for him."
"You're grandfather was also well known for his generous donations among ministry charities," Tom added, "which was how he earned his order of Merlin first class."
"I knew he bought that thing," Sirius grouced.
"Shut your mouth, you ignorant whelp!" Greyback snapped.
"There is a big difference between bribing officials, which is what your words imply, and making genuine charitable donations to help those less well off than yourself," Tom explained. "If it was as simple as bribing an official to get an order of Merlin I can assure you that there would be a great many others who would have received one."
"Lucius Malfoy for sure," Severus grinned. "I know for a fact that he looked into being able to get one after the last war, if only to elevate the family name again."
"Why didn't he get one then?" Sirius questioned.
"Because its not possible," Severus sighed. "He even tried making several donations as well but since everyone knew why he was doing it they were all for nought. At least for him, anyway, the charities themselves were very grateful."
"I can imagine," Tom chuckled. "Now, shall we have dinner, I'm sure the house elves have whipped up a veritable feast for us."
"Aye, it is only a shame that it's not the season for Venison yet although we did supply the kitchens with some good lamb yesterday," Greyback said.
"There is wild game around the castle as well?" Severus enquired.
"Oh yes," Greyback smiled, "and in quite a plentiful supply as well. Things had gotten a little wild before we came but the pack works hard to maintain the wood as well as the various animal populations. Its why we observed the various hunting seasons, for the most part anyway, the odd animal gets killed outside of that on the full moon but its surprising how much more docile the wolf is when we're well fed and not having to worry about our safety."
"I could have told you that," Sirius scoffed. "Remus was practically a puppy when we used to lark around together on the full moon."
"Yes it's a shame the Ministry won't listen on that front," Tom sighed. "Its the same with the vampires: there would be far fewer problems if we had access to regular donors but, unfortunately there are too many anti-creature voices in power."
"Its ridiculous because its not like people would mind if they only had to donate a bit," Harry muttered.
"You been donating for our lord, young Harry?" Greyback leered, somewhat suggestively, causing Harry to blush.
"Er, no, I, um, let Severus feed," he corrected, stammeringly. "Although do you need to feed as well, Tom? Now that you're back properly that is."
"Yes, Harry," Tom replied, "but I can wait until Severus has finished the blood replenishing potion first, I wouldn't want to put you at risk."
"I don't see what the problem is," Harry huffed, "its not like I can die."
"You can't die?" Greyback questioned disbelievingly.
"Yeah apparently I'm a human phoenix hybrid," Harry explained, leaving Greyback still looking perplexed.
"Lupin apparently infected Potter senior and Dumbledore employed some alchemy to prevent the curse taking," Severus elaborated. "The result being that he could then apparently father children and ended up accidentally impregnated by Black here."
"That would make you a very interesting specimen, young one," Greyback mused.
"Specimen!" Harry exclaimed. "You're not going to run tests on me or anything are you?"
"Of course not," Severus reassured him. "While I would like to test the properties of certain parts of you for their potential use in potions I would take samples and only with your express permission of course."
"Aye, leave the human experimentation to Lyall Lupin and his ilk," Greyback growled.
"There is nothing wrong with Lyall Lupin, he was an upstanding citizen and an excellent father!" Sirius argued.
"And what do you know of Lyall Lupin?" Greyback questioned warningly.
"I was friends with Remus Lupin in school and he told us that his father did everything that he could to help Remus after you turned him as a child," Sirius shouted, standing up and slamming his hands down on the table in anger. "You're a monster Greyback and not because of your curse."
"Sit down!" Greyback roared in a commanding tone and Sirius did just that. Harry might have found it funny if the werewolf's voice hadn't made him sit up a bit straighter as well, although Severus didn't quite manage to mask his snigger.
"Now you should be careful about mouthing off about things when you don't have all the facts, pup," Greyback continued. "For starters you said 'was' as if Lupin had passed but I can assure you that Lyall Lupin is very much alive and well, as much as many of us would wish otherwise."
"You're lying, that can't be true," Sirius protested. "Remus was always struggling after we left school but if his dad was still alive then surely he would have helped."
"Of course he wouldn't!" Greyback scoffed, "not unless the son agreed to further experimentation anyway. I always tried to find my wayward cub but that bastard kept moving. One time I managed to get close though, had my pack lure Lupin away so I could sneak in. Found my cub chained up, half starved and weak from where Lupin was draining his blood. I could see a lab set up where he was obviously testing it for something. Poor thing was covered in cuts and bruises. I tried to rescue him but that must have triggered some sort of alarm cos Lupin appeared out of nowhere and chased me off. Wish I'd have managed to grab some of the stuff he was working on as proof but unfortunately I was too distracted by the cub. Never did manage to pick up their trail again after that although, if the cub went to school that might explain it."
"Even if I believed you it was still your fault that he had to suffer like that," Sirius accused. "Why did you even have to bite him in the first place?"Greyback shook his head in remorse. "I admit that that wasn't my finest moment and my only excuse was grief. Lyall Lupin and his little group attacked my pack, many years ago now. I was young and headstrong, having just been made leader of the pack, and stupidly told all of my alphas to chase the attackers when they started to retreat. Looking back it was obvious that it was a trap but at the time I was naive and didn't realise that the hunters would use the opportunity to attack our omegas and young. I lost many that night, including my mate who was pregnant with our cub at the time and, in my grief, I thought it would be fitting for Lupin to lose his as well."
"Do you have any idea what he was looking into with his experiments?" Severus asked. "A cure for lycanthropy perhaps?"
"Not bloody likely," Greyback growled. "Fucking Belby is a fully paid up member of Lupin's little group which is why he invented that poison in the first place, as a way of slowly killing our kind all under the guise of trying to help."
"That might explain how Belby got hold of all his research," Severus mused. "Even old Slughorn seemed surprised that he was able to work out something as complicated as Wolfsbane on its own."
"Do you think you could make an actual cure then?" Harry asked, "if you could get hold of that sort of research."
"Now why would he want to do that?" Greyback questioned menacingly.
"Well in case people were turned accidentally," Harry reasoned. "It might make wizards more accepting of you if they knew there was a way to stop them being turned."
"Harry's right," Tom said warningly. "If we take away wixen's reason to fear then we increase the chance of werewolves being accepted."
"That's all well and good my lord," Greyback frowned, "but with so many of our breeders being killed in the hunts our numbers are rapidly dwindling."
"You're welcome to bring in more werewolves to the castle if that will help," Harry suggested.
"That's not always a good idea," Greyback sighed. "Alphas can become territorial and I wouldn't want your lands, or yourselves, to become victim to that."
"Maybe," Tom murmured, "but there is at least one werewolf that we should be able to bring into your fold