“Ginny?” Ginny looked up from her homework to see Olivia standing there. Jack and Alexa looked up too. They were sitting in the library together after their classes.
“Hi, Olivia.”
“The Headmaster wants to see you,” Olivia said. Ginny stood and looked at her friends after collecting her things.
“See you in a bit guys. Probably just wants me to tell Fawkes to stop being such a glutton.”
“Good luck with that,” Alexa said, “He probably wouldn’t stop even if you asked him to.”
Ginny shrugged, “Maybe. Who knows? He may only eat twenty pounds of food instead of thirty if I ask reeeeealllly nicely.”
Olivia snorted, “C’mon. I don’t know why they want you. They’re lucky Fawkes hasn’t decided that he wants to eat more. It’s in the original Hogwarts treaty that familiars of students have to be fed to ‘their satisfaction’ and nothing less.”
“Why is that?” Jack asked, “Doesn’t it get expensive?”
“Yes it does,” Olivia said, “But as the first great wizarding school in the world, the founders wanted to draw students from all over the world to Hogwarts. In Africa and Asia the use of familiars was and still is much more common than it is here in Europe. So the founders wanted to be sure the familiars of foreign students would be taken care of. After Hogwarts began to be successful the other schools began to be formed such as Durmstrang in Bulgaria or Beauxbatons in France just in Europe alone.”
“Oh, really?” Jack said, “That’s interesting. All we learn about in Magical history is Goblin rebellions.”
Olivia snorted, “Yeah, that stuff is useless. Don’t know why they still use that old curriculum. I’m Sure that Binns hasn’t changed it in decades at least. Alright, Ginny. We’ve got to actually go. Don’t want to keep the headmaster waiting.”
The two of them went through the hallways.
“How are you doing?” Ginny asked, “With, you know… you being dosed at the feast and everything.”
“Ugh. So embarrassing,” Olivia said, “But I didn’t do anything too bad. I just hope they catch Pettigrew soon. Hard to feel safe when there’s a maniac like that running around.”
“Yeah, him…”
They walked up to the headmaster’s office together, reaching the eagle statue at the base. Ginny peered at it with interest.
“Amvatroz?” She asked as she stared at it. It turned its head towards her and a second later the statue became more animated.
“Ah. Yes, it’s me,” the Eagle said, “Here to see the headmaster, are we Ginny?”
Olivia blinked, “Wait, you’re the eagle here too? You’ve never talked to me before when I came up.”
Amvatroz looked at her.
“You don’t have Fawkes as your familiar,” the statue said, “If I talked to everyone coming in I’d be too busy to come up with new riddles, wouldn’t I?”
“Well, that’s… That’s fair, I guess. People are going to lose it when I tell them the two of you statues are connected.”
“Yes, yes. You students do get rather excited about it every couple decades or so trying to solve the great mystery. Now… Ah, there it is. The headmaster has granted you access.”
The eagle statue began to twist and with the grinding of stone revealed a spiral staircase that went upwards. The two girls walked up until they reached the top of the stairs.
They were in a small chamber with a large pair of double doors blocking the way inside.
“Until next time, Ginny,” Amvatroz said amiably before the statue stiffened and went lifeless again.
“Still can’t believe that old grumpy bird likes you so much…” Olivia grumbled.
“More like he likes messing with Fawkes,” Ginny replied, “He spends most of his time boasting and talking about how much more amazing that Fawkes he was when he was alive. I think it’s kinda funny. Fawkes tries to do the same back, but he’s not as good at it. I think Amvatroz really was more powerful while they were both alive.”
“Pffffftttt. Really?” Olivia said, “He’s just flexing how much more powerful he used to be to mess with Fawkes? That’s why he’s always talking to you more in between the riddles to get into the common room? That’s kind of hilarious. Hey, how…”
The double doors swung open and interrupted Olivia. Past the doors Dumbledore’s cluttered office was revealed with Head of Ravenclaw house Flitwick, the Headmaster, and an unfamiliar handsome man with a sharp gaze and scruffy beard black beard and hair.
Flitwick stepped forward. “Ah, Olivia. Thank you for bringing Ms. Weasley. That will be all for now.”
Olivia patted Ginny on the shoulder comfortingly before looking back at Flitwick, “See you in class, Professor.”
Flitwick inclined his head but didn’t speak as Olivia turned around and went back down the spiral staircase by the eagle.
The double doors to the Headmaster’s office closed. Ginny followed behind Professor Flitwick and they sat next to each other in front of the Headmaster’s large desk. Dumbledore sat on the other side while the unfamiliar man sat a little offset from Ginny and Flitwick but still on their side of the Headmasters desk.
“Ms. Weasley, I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re here,” Dumbledore began, “And who our mysterious guest here is.”
He waved his hand to gesture to the unfamiliar man.
“Let me introduce Sirius Black. After Pettigrew’s attack on you this summer, he was revealed as innocent and freed from Azkaban.”
Sirius frowned slightly at Dumbledore’s words.
“Yes. No one bothered to check if I was innocent before then,” He said clearly while staring Dumbledore down.
The Headmaster coughed and moved on, “Yes. Indeed, it is one of my deepest regrets that we did not believe you earlier, Sirius… As a personal favor to him from me, he requested that he be allowed to meet with you, Ms. Weasley. Now, of course your head of house Filius Flitwick will be present to represent you. And you may choose to leave at any time if Sirius makes you uncomfortable or you do not wish to speak with him for any reason. Do you understand Ms. Weasley?”
“Why does he…” Ginny turned to the man himself, “Why do you want to talk to me? I already told the Aurors everything about Pettigrew.”
“Yes. But I more than anyone knows how useless most of those fat pigs can be when it’s not in their interests to be helpful,” Sirius said flatly.
“Sirius!” Dumbledore reprimanded, but the man waved him off while keeping his sharp gaze on Ginny.
“I’ve been doing my own investigation. To track him down and get some real revenge for what he’s done,” Sirius said, “I… that man destroyed my life. The life of my godson Harry Potter. Well, he goes by Eric now, got to remember that. Have you met him? He should only be a year above you, shouldn’t he?”
Dumbledore cleared his throat, “Are you not aware of Ms. Weasley’s situation?”
Sirius looked between her and the Headmaster with his brow scrunched in confusion.
“No? Should I be? She’s Arthur’s daughter isn’t she? No one knows why she was attacked by Pettigrew. Is there more to know?”
“Yes. But they are not my secrets to share. Ms. Weasley can share as much or little as she wishes.”
“Don’t feel pressured by him,” Flitwick added, “You don’t have to tell him anything you don’t wish to, Ms. Weasley.”
With that, all three adults stared at her, waiting for what she would say.
She cleared her throat and met Sirius’ gaze, “I… Well, I was attacked last year,” She said, “Brought down to the Chamber of Secrets and a boy down there did… something to me. It completely erased my memory of everything before. I don’t remember anything before the last six months, I came back this term as a first year.”
Sirius looked at her in horror and then turned to Dumbledore. “A boy? Is she saying that…”
“We do not believe so,” Dumbledore quickly interrupted, “She was checked at St. Mungo’s after and there were none of the… signs. The only damage we could find was due to her inexplicable loss of her memories. Her memories were irretrievable even by the greatest of the country's mind healers. Far beyond what even a full obliviation charm would do.”
“What are you two talking about?” Ginny asked, “What did they check for?”
Sirius looked back at her startled and Dumbledore’s face was awkward as he seemed to realize that he had said too much, “Something very bad,” the Headmaster said, “But it seems it isn’t so, so there is no need for you to worry. The point of this is, Ms. Weasley is a first year student at the moment. And an extra reminder for Sirius to not push you too hard.”
Sirius scratched at his scruffy black beard and his eyes darted between Ginny and Dumbledore.
“Er, yeah. I’m sorry to hear that, Ginny. Can I call you Ginny?”
“That’s fine,” She said, “I like my life now. I don’t remember how it was before, so it's kinda hard to miss it.”
“Well, ah. This was not how I was expecting this conversation to go,” Sirius said with a forcefully light tone, “I’m glad you’re doing well. Have you met my godson Eric? What do you think of him?”
Ginny looked at him, “I’ve met him. Why do you want to know?”
Sirius shrugged, “Just curious. I’ve only met him two times before briefly. Be interesting to know what the students here think of him and his… eccentricity.”
“I don’t like him,” Ginny said, “He’s a jerk.”
“A jerk? How so?” Sirius asked.
“I don’t want to talk about him,” Ginny said, “Just thinking about him makes me mad.”
“Er, well. Okay. I thought this would be the easy topic… Alright, Pettigrew. Can you go over what happened that night again for me? I’m hoping I’ll notice something that the Aurors will miss.”
Ginny restated the whole story from start to finish from when she saw the ‘magic rat’ that Ron had to when Pettigrew attacked her. At which point she used her ‘accidental magic’ to hurt him and force him to back off before Fawkes arrived to defend her.
“Fawkes? Dumbledore’s phoenix?” Sirius asked after she had finished, “How’d you manage to call him?”
“He’s my familiar,” Ginny said, “Dumbledore tried to bully me into breaking the familiar bond while I was in the hospital after I formed it. But he and my dad worked it out and settled the court case. So now Dumbledore can hold the debt over our family so my dad does stuff for him in the Ministry, and I get to stay with Fawkes.”
Both Sirius and Flitwick took her statement with shock and looked at Dumbledore for an explanation. A Dumbledore that looked supremely awkward as he sat there.
“Headmaster, is this true?” Flitwick asked after a few seconds of no response.
“Now, Filius, Ms. Weasley. I don’t think it played out quite like that…”
Ginny looked at him in confusion, “Isn’t it all public record though? There was a whole court case between you adults and everything in the Ministry. You got in big trouble because you visited me in the hospital and tried to bully me without my parents permission to be there.”
Dumbledore coughed, “That case record was sealed by order of the Wizemgott. It contained sensitive information that shouldn’t be made public.”
Ginny stared at him, “Meanie,” She said, “Isn’t that the council that you’re in charge of? But I still got to stay with Fawkes and Dad seemed alright with the debt so I don’t mind that much.”
Sirius shifted in his chair, “Should I be here for this? I feel like I’m hearing things I shouldn’t…”
“Yes, Albus, Ms. Weasley,” Flitwick said, “Perhaps we should discuss this… after we’re done here.”
Dumbledore gave Ginny a sharp look but she straightened her back and stared defiantly back at the old man.
“You never said it was secret,” Ginny pointed out.
Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak before seeming to think better of it and closing it again.
“No. I suppose I didn’t,” He said in defeat, “Sirius, do you have any more questions for Ms. Weasley?”
Sirius looked thoughtful and asked about a few more minor details, a slightly awkward air in the room as Professor Flitwick looked not at Sirius but Dumbledore as the conversation continued.
Eventually, Sirius didn’t have any more questions. He stood. “Thank you for your help, Ginny,” He said, “This will really help me on my hunt.”
“Hunt?” Ginny said, “Weren’t you doing an investigation? What do you mean?”
Sirius’ gaze grew intense, “I won’t rest, won’t stop. Not until that TRAITOR is brought to JUSTICE!”
“Sirius!” Flitwick said, “watch your tone!”
Sirius coughed and looked guiltily at Ginny. But she could see the conviction in his eyes. “Sorry, Ginny. Got carried away. I just get angry when I think about what that rat has done to his friends. To so many people.”
Flitwick and Dumbledore stood and Ginny followed suit.
“Well, I suppose that will be all…” Dumbledore said. But Ginny was struggling internally as she looked at Sirius. She knew that Pettigrew was dead, reaching an old age on Teregatt before he finally passed away in his sleep peacefully. She hadn’t cared too much about not telling anyone when it was faceless Aurors chasing him down across Britain and wasting their time. But this man… he really cared. She could hear the conviction in his voice, see it in his eyes. He really wouldn’t stop until he found Pettigrew. Was she going to stand by and let him spend his life chasing ghosts because she was too weak to tell him the truth? When it was something this important?
“...Ms. Weasley?” Dumbledore said, “Are you alright?”
“I have something important to say,” She said suddenly, “But I can only say it to Mr. Black. No one else can hear.”
“That’s highly inappropriate,” Flitwick protested, “I’m here to represent your interests, Ms. Weasley. I can’t simply leave you alone with this man even if Dumbledore vouches for him.”
Ginny looked at him, “It’s important. What if he hands over his wand to you while we’re talking?”
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Sirius immediately looked uncomfortable, and the two other adults settled down and looked thoughtful.
“Are you sure you can only tell Sirius?” Dumbledore asked, “You will not be in trouble if you tell us as well.”
“I’m sure,” Ginny said while barely trying to think about it. Like she’d trust Dumbledore of all people to have her best interests in mind.
“Well? Sirius? Would you accept that?”
“Well… It’s important, Ginny?” Sirius asked while reluctantly drawing his wand from his robes.
She nodded and after an internal struggle, Sirius handed his wand to Professor Flitwick.
“We’ll be just outside,” Flitwick said to Ginny, “Just shout and we’ll come in with all haste. Are you absolutely certain that you don’t want us here with you? Perhaps just me if you don’t wish the Headmaster to be present?”
Ginny thought about it seriously for a second before dismissing it. She had no idea how much she could trust the charms professor. He seemed nice enough in class, but she didn’t know if that meant that he would keep a secret for her. She was going to tell a half truth to Sirius. But even that much would get her in serious trouble if anyone found out.
“No, it has to be just us,” She insisted. With that Flitwick and Dumbledore left and closed the doors behind them, leaving her and Sirius alone in the Headmaster’s office. Ginny sat back in her seat while Sirius remained standing.
“You might… uhm, want to sit down,” Ginny said, “Before I tell you the thing.”
Sirius did so, staring at her intensely, “What is it?” He asked, “Did you remember something?”
Ginny took a deep breath. She didn’t want to lie to the man again. But it was the only way. Who would even know if he believed her about Teregatt. More importantly, if she told him about her being able to go to and from Teregatt… then Eric might learn about it too. And if Eric knew that Balthazar was teaching her to improve her skills… then he might attack her before she could improve enough to overpower him.
No, she couldn’t tell anyone about Teregatt, especially now that things were at a truce with Eric who was underestimating her. She had to lie a little bit to help Sirius and make sure she wasn’t risking her life at the same time.
“Peter Pettigrew…” Ginny began, “Pettigrew… I lied before,” She said, “He didn’t apparate away after Fawkes attacked him. Fawkes killed him. Pettigrew is dead.”
Sirius’ eyes widened until they almost popped out of his skull, “Dead?!” Sirius said, “But… Are you sure? Why would you lie to the Aurors?”
Ginny suddenly had a crisis as she realized the consequences of her lie. Oh no, she hadn’t thought… but Fawkes…
“Fawkes!” Ginny said, “If he killed Pettigrew then… What if… what if… what if the Ministry took him away or even… even put him down. I can’t let that happen! Oh, you’ve really got to keep it a secret. Please, I wasn’t thinking right before I told you. I don’t want anything to happen to him because I told you…”
Sirius looked skeptical, but at seeing her genuine panic seemed to believe her. Why hadn’t she thought through her lie more?! Now if this man told the Ministry then she could have caused Fawkes to get taken away or even… even killed. What had she done?!
“I’ll keep your secret,” Sirius said solemnly, “On the Black name. Not that I usually go for that, but it feels appropriate to say here.”
“You- You promise? You definitely won’t tell anyone? Even if Dumbledore asks?”
“Especially if Dumbledore asks. He signed off on my imprisonment ten years ago, did you know that? Knew I didn’t have a trial, but signed off on it anyway because he already thought I was guilty. Too arrogant to believe he needed to even check if he was right or not first… Sounds like you haven’t had a great experience with him either. How many galleons was that debt that your family took on when Dumbledore transferred the phoenix to you?”
“I don’t know. Dad never said. I just knew that it was a lot,” Ginny said.
“I’ll have to contact Arthur anyway.” Sirius said, his tone growing calm as his intense gaze remained focused on her, “Now, let’s go over things one last time. As slowly as you need. What really happened?”
Ginny gave the same story, but instead of Pettigrew apparating away himself, Fawkes grabbed him in his claws to cut him all over and flame teleported the body away after he stopped moving. It was only a little less gruesome than what Ginny had actually had to experience in the real attack, and she had to stop several times as she remembered the feeling of blood splattering over her as the bone sword burst from Pettigrew’s back. The feeling of helplessness, fear as the wizard stood above her and knowing that she couldn’t stop whatever he wanted to do to her…
“Do you know where Fawkes took the body?” Sirius asked.
“I don’t know. Does it matter? He’s dead now.”
“I suppose. I would have liked to know for sure… but I believe you. Thank you for telling me. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I’m glad you told me.”
“I- I didn’t want you to waste your life chasing him down when I could tell you that he was actually dead,” Ginny replied, “I’m sorry I lied before.”
“No, I understand,” Sirius said sympathetically, his eyes growing slightly misty as he spoke, “There’s… There’s nothing more valuable than loyalty to the people that you care about. I won’t speak a word of this to anyone unless you give me permission to. I don’t think Fawkes would be killed if the Ministry knew the truth. He’s a phoenix, he’s too valuable for that. But you’re right that they may take him from you if they think he’s dangerous.”
“Thank you,” Ginny said with a sigh of relief, “I shouldn’t have just blurted it out without thinking first…”
“Listen…” Sirius said, “This debt that Dumbledore has over your family. I don’t like it. I’m going to contact your father and see what I can do to get it wiped clean.”
“Wiped clean? What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’d pay it off myself. As thanks to you for telling me the truth.”
“But… But, it’s so much money! My dad was saying our family would probably never pay it off even when I was really old. I didn’t do that much.”
Sirius shook his head, “No. In case you haven’t heard, I’m the head and only remaining member of House Black. And owner of their massive vaults of wealth. I’ve more money than I’ll ever know what to do with. You have no idea what this news means to me. Whatever your debt is, I’ve probably spent at least triple that amount chasing down various leads and rumors on Pettigrew just in the last few months. It’s the least that I can do for you.”
“Well, thank you Mr. Black. I know Dad was really worried about it even if he didn’t like to say so.”
Sirius stood and Ginny followed his lead, “Oh, and maybe one day I can meet that phoenix of yours in person one day, huh?” Sirius said, “Dumbledore didn’t have him when I was in school, so I’ve never had the chance to see something like it before.”
“Definitely,” Ginny agreed, “Just make sure to compliment him a lot. He’s a very proud bird and he likes being praised.”
Sirius smirked, “Yes, don’t we all? I’ll make sure to remember. Shall we call the ‘meanie’ and Flitwick back in again?”
Ginny bobbed her head slightly and blushed. She couldn’t believe she had actually said that to Dumbledore’s face. It had just slipped out in the moment and she hadn’t thought about it more as the conversation had continued elsewhere.
Sirius walked over and opened the door where Dumbledore and Flitwick stood idly on the other side waiting.
“We’re finished,” Sirius said.
They all returned to their previous positions, Dumbledore inspecting Sirius closely.
“You seem calmer, Sirius,” Dumbledore observed, “I assume Ms. Weasley had good news for you? Something she remembered?”
“Yes. It was very good news,” Sirius said before closing his mouth and not saying anything else.
“Very well,” Dumbledore said in disappointment after it became clear that Sirius wouldn’t elaborate further, “Then I suppose our business is concluded. Professor Flitwick will escort you back to your common room, Ms. Weasley. A good day to you.”
“Good day, Headmaster.”
She left, following behind Flitwick who led the way out.
— — —
Sirius stood back in Grimmauld place, the main Black residence. The place was decrepit and musty, just as Sirius had remembered when he was a boy. Before he had run away from this awful place to stay with James and the Potters.
He sat down and unfolded the picture he had carried in his pocket over since he’d sworn revenge on Pettigrew. As soon as he got out of prison and was healthy enough to move again. He stared at the picture of the four friends. James had Lily hanging off his arm, and Sirius had another girl that he’d been dating at the time standing with him. He barely even remembered her, he had been quite the player back then, going through relationships faster than his socks.
But there was Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew with the group. It had reminded Sirius every time of what Peter had done, what he had destroyed. Sirius kept looking at the picture. For minutes, hours. In the musty dark house there was no way for him to know. But eventually, he let out a shaky breath.
Peter was dead.
He was dead.
There was no evidence, but he believed the girl. He had seen the truth in her eyes when she told him it had happened.
Sirius raised his wand and kept it there hovering for a second. He had sworn to himself that he would do this only when the job was done. And the job was done, even if he hadn’t been the one who had done it.
His wand remained there hovering over the photograph held in his slightly shaking hands. Sirius cast a silent spell and the tip of his wand glowed red hot. He pressed it forward and burned Peter’s traitorous face out of the beloved photo once and for all.
The traitor was dead, and now Sirius was free. The fires of his vengeance pulling him ever onwards snuffed out all at once.
Now he could live his life again. It was what James, Lily would have wanted for him. And maybe… maybe he should talk to some of his old friends. They had all betrayed him. Left him to rot in that prison for over a decade without even speaking to him. But he should at least give them a chance first. Starting with Arthur. They hadn't been friends per se, but they had been friendly with each other at least. He would be a good start to things.
Sirius looked around the house and realized that it was his now. He hadn’t really thought about it before. He was rich, richer than his wildest dreams. The owner of wealth gained in all sorts of nasty and illegal ways over the centuries by his horrible family.
If he had the money, then why not fix this old place up to his liking? He’d wipe away every trace of his family from this place and make it his own. Keeping only the wards and family library containing all the hidden knowledge of spells and rituals that were too valuable to ever sell to anyone.
Sirius smiled a little as the idea began to take root in his mind. Yes, he’d use his new wealth to pave over everything left of the old family he’d always hated. Starting with the painting that had been hounding him ever since he’d arrived here. He walked with a bounce in his step to the portrait of Walburga Black hanging on the wall.
“What do you want, you muggle-loving boy?” His mother said from within the moving painting, “You’re a disgrace just like you always were. It’s shown how far we’ve fallen that you’re lord Black.”
Sirius stood there and kept slightly smiling, unaffected by her usual insults.
“WHAT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE BOY?!” Walburga screamed, “You muggle loving slime, ungrateful for the food and roof we put over your head for all of those years!”
“Ah, yes. The bare necessities for survival. I should be so honored,” Sirius said, “I’ve just had a revelation, Mother. You’ve put the irremovable sticking charm to keep your painting stuck to the wall, haven’t you? Can’t take down or even damage your painting without removing damn near half of that load bearing wall.”
“Of course I did so,” Walburga spat, “Like I’d let someone like you be able to remove me.”
Sirius looked at Walburga, waiting for the faintest hint of remorse or guilt to rise within him. But there was nothing.
“Well, I’ve made my decision,” Sirius said, “I’m rich, I’ll just hire somebody. The whole wall will have to go, unfortunately. Soon you’ll be gone forever, Mother. Have fun shouting about the impure mudbloods and their filthy ways as loud as you can for the next few days. I’ll be burning you to nothing when you’ve been properly extracted from my home. I’ve thought about getting some electric lights installed in this place rather than these dingy old lamps. What do you think?”
Walburga’s eyes bulged and she looked like she was about to have a heart attack as she heard his final statement.
“You wouldn’t dare…” She whispered, “You’d taint this place with muggle inventions? Betray everything that your family stands for?”
“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to it. Now, it’s time for me to make some appointments. I have so much work to do.”
“YOU BLOOD TAITOR! TRAITOROUS NO GOOD-” Walburga began screaming.
But for once her voice didn’t irritate Sirius. Because soon he’d be rid of her. Let’s see... First he’d have to find a muggle born architect to assess this place. Tell him what he’d need to get some bright lighting in. Get some help clearing this place out of all of its dark artifacts and the magical creatures that he was sure absolutely infested the place in the seven years since his mother’s death.
Walburga's painting kept screaming, but Sirius paid her no mind. For once in a long time, the future looked bright and he was excited to do something. Able to finally build something that he could be proud of.
And he should contact Arthur. He hadn’t forgotten his promise to young Ginny. He should take care of it as soon as possible so the girl wouldn’t be worried that he’d forgotten or changed his mind when he heard whatever the amount of the debt was from Arthur.
When he told her it was the least he could do, he had meant it. He was more grateful to her than he could even describe. She could have just let him leave at no cost to herself. In fact she’d accidentally risked her own familiar with her actions. She hadn’t let him leave, and told him the truth instead. He couldn’t forget that.
Her secret would be safe with him.
— — —
“Sirius,” Arthur said, “Thank you for finally agreeing to meet me after so long. How are you recovering?”
“I’m physically fine with the potions regiment they had me on,” Sirius said, “Mentally I’m getting there. Had quite the bump in mood recently. Decided to remodel the old Black Residence and make it my own with all my new wealth. Installing electric lights and a TV if you can believe it.”
“Really?” Arthur asked in fascination, “How does that work? I’ve been fascinated with all the wondrous muggle inventions for the last few years. Whatever gave you the idea?”
“Thought I’d do something different with the place than how it was before. Nothing better than putting muggle inventions in the place to change things up.”
“Yes. I’ve worked on enchanting a muggle car recently. Labor of love I suppose. Would you like to see it?”
Sirius looked at Arthur in surprise, “You? An enchanter? When did that happen?”
“I learned what I needed,” Arthur said, “I work at the misuse of magical artifacts at the Ministry. Head of the department actually. The more I know about enchantments the better at my job I ended up being, it seems. Which is rather good, I started doing it just because of the car and it is nice it ended up helping my career as well.”
“A muggle car?” Sirius said, thinking back to his old motorcycle when he had gone on his trip to America after graduation.
“Did you know that I used to own a motorcycle?” Sirius said, “Not sure where that old thing ended up going after I was imprisoned.”
Arthur cleared his throat, “About that, Sirius…”
Sirius shook his head. “We can talk about that later. How about you show me that car first?”
“Sure. It really was a pain to get the enchantments to not interfere with each other. Many of the parts are such odd shapes as well which can mess with how firmly the enchantments can grip to it sometimes…”
Arthur rambled on and showed Sirius the car and even partially disassembled it to demonstrate how it worked. Despite himself, Sirius was impressed. Enchanting was more complicated than he had thought it was. Arthur had never been anything more than average at school from what he had said when they were fighting against Voldemort together during the last Wizarding war. It seems he had grown rather skilled while pursuing his little passionate project from what Sirius could tell.
Eventually their conversation petered out as they stood in the garage, the tension slowly building between them as they realized what had to come next.
“I’m sorry, Sirius,” Arthur said, “I didn’t know. But I shouldn’t have let myself be convinced of your guilt so easily. We were all distraught after Lily and James’ deaths…”
Sirius didn’t respond for a few seconds, not sure what to say.
“I can’t trust you like I used to,” Sirius said, “But I don’t blame you. I understand. So, how about we start over? Clean slate. Build that trust again.”
Sirius held his hand out, and Arthur shook it.
“You won’t regret this, Sirius,” Arthur said.
“No I won’t. Now, while I don’t blame you I do have a bit of a grudge against Dumbledore. I’ve heard that he’s saddled you with quite a bit of debt?”
Arthur frowned, “Yes, it has to do with my daughter. But we’ve handled the situation. Do you know why it happened?”
“Yes. Your daughter told me herself,” Sirius said, “Called Dumbledore a ‘meanie’ right to his face. Quite the daughter you’ve got there.”
Arthur’s face flashed with a series of expressions ranging from anger to concern.
“What are you doing talking to my daughter? When was this?” He demanded.
Sirius raised his hands defensively, confused, “I cleared it with Dumbledore. It was in his office with Flitwick there to represent her and everything. Weren’t you told?”
“No. No, I was not. When was this?”
“Last Friday. Dumbledore really didn’t tell you? I would have asked if I’d have known that he hid it from you…”
“Thank you. Was she alright? Her letters don’t explain much, and she didn’t want to talk too much about the Halloween Feast riot.”
“We didn’t talk about that. I was asking her about Pettigrew,” Sirius said, “But that’s really besides the point. I have lots of money now, and it annoys me that Dumbledore is holding the debt over you. You took on that debt to help Ginny be with her familiar, not for yourself or even the whole family. How much was it? How many galleons?”
“Eight hundred galleons…” Arthur said, “No interest. Payable whenever Dumbledore decides I need to support any policy in the ministry he likes.”
Sirius sucked in his breath. Eight hundred Galleons. He had been expecting more like a hundred. But he had far more wealth than that.
“I’d like to wipe the debt clean,” Sirius said, “Get you out from Dumbledore’s thumb. Do something good with all of my new money.”
Arthur shook his head, “I’m sorry Sirius. I appreciate it, I truly do. But I won’t accept any charity. We’ll deal with it ourselves.”
“It’s not charity,” Sirius insisted, “That debt is crooked and you know it. Do you want anyone else, even Dumbledore, having leverage this big against you? What if he does something you don’t like?”
Arthur shook his head and his face started growing annoyed, “We are happy with our situation. If I took that money, I’d be in debt to you. Is that how you want to restart our friendship?”
“But what if Dumbledore-”
“Dumbledore isn’t doing anything right now. And he isn’t going to unless he is forced to. If- If something happens, then I’ll ask for help then. But for now, I’ll have to decline and thank you very much for the offer and the spirit in which it was given.”
Sirius smirked slightly, “Head and Lord of house Weasley, huh? When’s the last time you brought out that fancy talk?”
Arthur smiled awkwardly, “Many years. Not much occasion for it these days.”
“This isn’t over,” Sirius promised, “I’ll convince you and Molly when we see her. But for now, let’s catch up a bit more, ay? Molly finally got her girl after having six boys, huh? About time.”
Arthur chuckled, a bit more genuinely this time, seeming relieved that they were moving on from the topic of his debt.
“Yes, you couldn’t even imagine how excited she was when Ginny was born…” Arthur began as they left the garage and walked back into the house.
After several hours of casual discussion and Sirius’ occasional attempts to convince Molly and Arthur to accept his money, he finally went home unsuccessful.
He’d convince them to accept eventually. He’d just have to wear them down.
But now it was back to the remodeling of his home. He had never imagined that things could grow so complicated so quickly with the project that seemingly grew in scope and complexity every time he wasn’t paying attention.