Dumbledore contained his smug satisfaction. "If that is all, I'm sure you each have work you need doing?"
"Not quite. Green, Shacklebolt, McCallion, I want you to split up and search the castle top to bottom. I will go back to the office and round up some more aurors to join you."
"Yes, ma'am," the aurors said together, nodding their heads.
"My dear, that really isn't necessa—"
"Yes, headmaster, it is. The manhunt shall start here if he really has escaped and each member of the staff shall be questioned to see if we can't create a timeline of his exit."
"Now see here—!"
"No, you see here. This is an official ministry investigation. We have to search the castle for a convict that was last seen here and bound to the wards."
"But—"
"If you continue to argue headmaster, I will charge you with obscuring the course of this investigation."
Sirius barely held back his smirk and shared a look with Lucius, who appeared to be having just as much trouble.
"Very well then, but do to try to remember that this is a school and that there are still children here. Your investigation will cause upset to their Christmas spirits." Amelia withheld her snort at the man's flimsy excuse. "My aurors will be discrete. Now, if you could round up your staff so that they are here when I return, that should speed along the process." With a nod, she turned and didn't wait for Albus to reply.
Walking towards the floo, she stopped near Sirius and Lucius. "Gentlemen, if you would like to follow me I do believe you both have sons who will be returning home today."
The two Lords nodded and sent glances at the now furious Dumbledore. "Indeed, Madam Bones," Lucius said, following her back to the floo.
~ 22nd December 1992, Platform 9 3/4, King's Cross Station
When the train finally pulled up to the crowded station, Harry was glad to be home. It wasn't that he didn't love his friends, he did, it was just that being with them was exhausting. He was an adult and it didn't matter how mature they were, they were still children to him.
"See you in the New Year, my Lord," Luna said, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Harry smiled and nodded to the small girl. "Have a good Yule," he said, watching as she seemed to melt into the crowd and disappear almost instantly. Quickly grabbing his trunk, Harry followed the crowds out onto the platform and silently scanned for Sirius, not surprised when he saw him standing with Lucius. What did shock him was seeing him wear wizarding robes instead of the normal fashion he favoured.
"I see your father, Draco," he said, nodding towards the man to show his friend.
Turning to the rest of his friends, he smiled. "I hope you all have a great holiday," he said honestly before he started to walk towards Sirius.
"What's with the get up?" he whispered while hugging Sirius in greeting. "What? You don't think I look dashing? I shall have you know that these robes are of the highest quality and any witch or wizard with an ounce of taste shall swoon as soon as they see me."
Harry couldn't help but blink blankly at him before shaking his head. Sirius was... odd. "Sure," he said, shaking his head at his guardian's antics.
Lucius watched with an impassive face but inside he wanted to laugh. The dynamic between the two was intriguing to say the least, an almost role reversal.
"Harrison, I hope you had a good term," he greeted.
"Hello, Lucius. Thank you, my term ended surprisingly well," Harry said, smiling as he remembered Lockhart's fate.
"That is good to hear," Lucius said, suspicion raising within him.
Sirius withheld his snort with some difficulty and instead placed a hand on Harry shoulder. "Come on pup, let's get you home. I know Remus is dying to see you and I'm sure you have a lot to tell us. There are also a few things that still need setting up for Yule. Lucius, Draco."
Harry nodded and sent smiles at the two Malfoys. "I shall see you both soon," he promised before he felt the familiar tugging sensation in his naval and was enveloped in a world of disorientation and nausea. Shaking his head when he felt his feet hit solid ground, Harry turned and gave Sirius an unimpressed look. "I hate side along," he grumbled, fighting the queasiness it always gave him.
Sirius grinned at the look; Harry reminded him of an upset kitten. He knew that that wasn't the case here, that Harry was dangerous and Dark, but looking at him you wouldn't realise. He looked almost angelically cute with his slight pout and mushed hair.
"So… Lockhart?" immediately.
Sirius
asked
Harry let a smirk appear on his face. "Sadly I don't think he shall be seeing the inside of Azkaban anytime soon," he said solemnly.
Sirius snorted at happened to him?"
the
tone.
"What
Harry hummed, "For some reason he thought it would be smart to go after Luna. I took exception to that."
Sirius nodded and allowed his own anger to develop. Luna was just a little girl and although Harry was mentally and magically gifted, he still looked like a child.
"What did he do?"
Harry explained Lockhart's plans and watched as Sirius grew still. "That man! I can't believe he stooped so low as to attack innocent children—" hearing Harry snort at being called innocent, he corrected himself, "—well, children at least."
"I'm sure he came to regret his actions by the end."
"The end?"
"Aithusia apparently thinks peacocks tastes like chicken, but slightly stringier."
Sirius frowned before remembering Harry mentioning the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets was called Aithusia. Realising what this meant, he paled slightly before shrugging off his guilt and barking out a laugh. "Remind me to never get on your bad side."
"Why's that?" Remus asked, walking into the parlour.
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