"Ok, pick a continent?" Sirius said, whilst refilling his glass with the golden liquid.
"Asia?" he stated, wondering what Sirius was planning.
"That's a big place," Sirius answered back, whilst playing with the glass, "East or West?"
...
Seeing where this was going, "Well, I'd like to go east, India would be nice as I would like to know more about Padma's cultural past," he answered. "But, I would like to go with her, so she can explain things as needed and act as a translator." She could also introduce him to her extended family and possibly lay the foundation for future trading deals between their families.
"So, maybe China? Japan? Or Korea?" He wondered what there was to discover there, what secrets he could learn, what knowledge he could gain over his rivals by being exposed to these distant and divergent cultures.
"Sounds good. Do you want it to be a surprise? Or would you like me to tell you what I'm thinking?" Sirius asked.
Considering the question, "Keep it a surprise until a couple of days before," he requested as Sirius gave him a curious look, "That way it's still a surprise, but gives me a chance to look up possible things to do and see, and have some cultural reference so I don't do something that upsets the locals," he offered with a mischievous smile, and 'find translation charms' he mentally thought.
"And do you mind if Remus comes? If we go between the moon cycles that is," clearly wanting to bring his friend, but knowing that Harry had his issues with the man.
Thinking carefully over the request, since Sirius clearly wanted his friend to come with them, he finally decided to give the man a chance for Sirius' benefit. "As long as he isn't a spoilsport and not going to be an ass, then it's fine I suppose." After all, Remus was the 'sensible one' out of the pair. This resulted in Sirius beaming, clearly happy with the answer. Plus, if Remus was an ass then he would just ignore him and do his own thing, that particular experiment being done for good. And Sirius would have more evidence and be discouraged from inviting his friend in the future.
...
The following day they found themselves back in the alley, looking over the same stores, before finding their way to the same inn that they had dined at their first full day here. Their port-key was booked for the following morning. Finding themselves in the centre of the room, it quickly became clear that everyone was rather tense.
"Sirius," he said quietly, discreetly looking around the room, "You get the feeling something's not right here?"
"Yea pup," his godfather agreed, his experienced eyes closely watching the room, darting into all the corners. "Everyone's tense for some reason. Let's finish this meal and head back to the hotel." Leaving the inn and heading back to the hotel, Sirius leaned in and whispered softly as if he feared what was going to happen, "This reminds me of when the Death Eaters were around, everyone was on edge, just eager to get their business done as soon as possible." Harry watched as another parent quickly pulled their children along with them.
Walking past the shops they had shopped in days earlier, they wondered what had changed between then and now, what had happened to create the palpable tension hanging in the air. Entering the hotel, Sirius made his way over to the front desk and rang the desk bell. Thankfully the receptionist was quick to respond and also one of the few staff members that spoke reasonably good English. "Good afternoon sir, how can I help you?" she greeted with false cheer.
"Good afternoon Grace, could you tell me what's happened to make everyone so tense all of a sudden," Sirius probed gently while he listened carefully.
The receptionist took a moment to compose her answer before explaining softly, "Magical Iceland is ruled by 12 clan families, with the blessing of Greenland's own ruling family. However, in recent months conflict has started to brew. Several families want independence and have a good amount of support from the public. There are also a lot of civil problems in the country, jobs, rights, you name it. Instead of trying to fix the problems facing the country, the current government, if you can even call it that, is more concerned with maintaining their own power," Grace stressed quietly, as if she feared being overheard.
"All right, thank you for sharing that Grace," Sirius stated, seemingly deep in thought at this answer, as they headed to their rooms. As soon as they were behind closed doors, Sirius suddenly spoke, "This was how it first started Harry," sending him a sad look. "There is a civil war brewing here, mark my words. It's just a matter of time. It started the same way in Britain."
He pondered that statement, taking a moment to consider what he had seen that day and Sirius' own experiences, "You can't worry about it," he offered knowing that the words were useless as he walked over to the bar area to make himself a stiff drink. "We can't help them, we have no interests in Iceland, nor do we have any real influence in Britain either at the moment," giving Sirius a serious look who was looking rather glum at the harsh news.
"I know you're not happy about it, but this is not our fight, these are not Death Eaters nor is this Voldemort's work," knowing already that his godfather was considering how he could help in the back of his mind, like the Gryffindor he was. He realized that he needed to offer something his godfather could use as an excuse of a sort, lest Sirius do something foolish and harm their interests, "We can't help them now, but when it's all over we could always help them rebuild, and try to offer some stability through gainful employment," passing Sirius a bottle of scotch with a clean glass.
"If they request any international help, then we can always try to pressure the Ministry to get involved, but right now there is really nothing we can do."
"I know," Sirius answered forlornly, taking the offered drink. "Still isn't something I'm comfortable with."
"I know, but we have to pick our battles carefully," hoping his godfather wouldn't do anything foolish as he started to look through the hotel's private services to see if there was anything they could do that would help distract his godfather. "Want to head down to the spa?" he asked after looking through the leaflet, eager to find out what all the hype about a massage was.
...
(24th December)
"It's good to be home," Sirius expressed as they walked through the front door of Number 12 just to be greeted by Remy and Cora, the two elves Sirius had bought from the Ministry to replace Kreacher who was now in exile at another Black property for the remainder of his days.
He let the pair take his bags, knowing that by the time he got to his room they would be sorted and unpacked by the dutiful and efficient young house elves. Just then Remus entered. "Welcome back you old Dog!" Remus exclaimed, before hugging his friend in a brotherly embrace, "Did the both of you have a good time?" his tired eyes darting between the pair.
"Yes, it was amazing actually. How are you feeling?" Sirius asked the exhausted-looking Remus.
"Bit sore, but nothing I'm not long used to, the potion helps though," Remus replied, clearly referring to his condition. "You ok Harry?"
"Fine," he replied, not particularly seeing the need to open up to the man, but not being openly hostile as he had before.
Sirius, sensing the tension between them, quickly changed the subject, "How's the house?" he asked, as the elves popped in eager to report just as Remus spoke. "Fine, only Kreacher trying to get hold of that locket again, it must really mean something to the old elf."
"Must have been my mother's," Sirius stated dismissively, shaking his head, "I'm seriously tempted just to let the elf have it if it stops him from bothering us all the time."
"What locket is this?" he enquired from his place whilst leaning against the wall, wondering what was going on since his godfather had failed to mention this.
"Just a stupid old-fashioned locket with a Slytherin style S on it, you know the S in shape of a snake that is posted around Hogwarts, like the Slytherin house banner, this one has emeralds around it," shaking his head in disapproval.
"The damn thing won't even open," the frustrated Sirius explained. However, the description set off alarm bells in his mind, an image of Slytherin's locket popping up with the file information compiled on Tom Riddle.
...
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