Gemini's face lit up when she saw him. She hurried downstairs. "Tony! What brings you here?"
Tony opened his arms. They hugged briefly. "Harry said to drop by around now. Brought some things for you."
They settled into seats. Tony began pulling items from his bag. "Harry walked us through everything he'll face each school year. Honestly? The kid's survival is a miracle. So I made some gear."
He held up the first item. "Smartwatch built for this era. Magic-powered. Works at Hogwarts—tested it myself. Give it to Harry. Danger alerts, tracking, the works. Let him explore the features."
Tony set the mechanical-looking children's watch aside. "This is the Sneezewort upgrade package. She can download it directly. Network infrastructure's solid now. Sneezewort will be much more effective."
"Oh, where's Sirius? Harry specifically wanted me to ask—you didn't kill him, did you?" Tony glanced around. No signs of a man living here.
Gemini's expression went complicated. "Don't get me started on that father of mine."
Tony leaned forward. "What happened?"
When Harry was four, Dumbledore spotted Peter near the Weasleys' home. After careful verification, he confirmed it was Peter Pettigrew. Before the rat could reach the Weasley house, Dumbledore captured him. The Weasleys had money now—they wouldn't keep a random stray rat. If Peter couldn't establish himself there, he'd escape. They'd have to wait until Harry started school.
Dumbledore had a discreet conversation with newly appointed Minister Fudge. Fudge understood immediately. He brought Aurors, staged a dramatic "battle," and captured the supposedly dead hero Peter Pettigrew.
The wizarding world erupted.
After a specially approved Veritaserum interrogation, the truth emerged.
Fudge tearfully apologized for former Minister and current Head of Magical Law Enforcement Barty Crouch throwing Sirius into Azkaban without trial. The public was impressed. This Minister actually delivered results!
Peter received life imprisonment in Azkaban.
When Fudge led reporters and Aurors to Azkaban to release the wrongfully imprisoned Sirius, they encountered a problem.
Sirius's cell was empty.
The news that the Black family head had adopted Harry Potter was essentially public knowledge. Even Dark wizards in Azkaban heard about it. Bellatrix's manic laughter reportedly echoed through the entire prison that day. Pure joy nearly got her drained by Dementors.
Sirius, in the same high-security block, heard too. Panicked, unable to think of other Blacks who'd take Harry, he assumed Voldemort's followers had captured the boy.
He broke out.
Transformed into a dog. Swam the Channel. Struggled to Number 4, Privet Drive. Watched for a full day. Saw no one.
As he prepared to risk checking Grimmauld Place, he collapsed in bushes. Sterling found him.
Sterling pitied the matted black dog. Had Flicker bring him home. Cleaned him up. Treated his wounds. Fed him.
When Sirius woke, he found himself in dog form by a fireplace, tended by a house-elf wearing a Hogwarts pillowcase. He stayed alert. Decided to observe this household and learn about the neighbors.
A postman knocked, asking for "Miss Black."
Sirius understood. This might be his destination. But after two weeks, he hadn't found Harry. He resorted to examining Sterling's mail, eavesdropping on conversations.
He finally confirmed it. The real Black family head had gone abroad. This Miss Black was merely a representative.
Sirius searched for the overseas address. Found it on a letter. Memorized it. Returned to empty Grimmauld Place. Searched until he found a spare wand. Used magic to board a ship to China.
Sirius's odyssey began.
Nearly a month later, Sirius reached Beicheng. The healthy coat Sterling had restored was gone. He looked skeletal. In China, Sirius dodged cultivators and dog catchers eyeing his size. Difficult times.
He located Gemini's courtyard in dog form. Saw four-year-old Harry. Lost control. Shifted to human form. Charged forward, shouting, desperate to embrace his godson.
He managed three steps.
Concerned citizens tackled him. Pinned him down. They yelled for children to go home. Harry left reluctantly. Sirius was hauled to the police station. They found his wand. Called the relevant department. Based on his vagrant appearance, they identified him as an illegal immigrant. Plus his reaction to Harry suggested a Dark wizard from Britain.
Interrogation began.
Sirius proved difficult. They nearly used Legilimency—would have if not for brain damage concerns. Extracted nothing.
Meanwhile, Harry went home. What does a three-year-old understand? He simply told Gemini some homeless man ran toward them and got arrested. There'd been a kidnapper crackdown. Gemini didn't think twice.
Perfect miss.
The department escalated the case. This involved that foreign ally. Couldn't be dismissed.
Sun Aihua received the message. Came personally. Found Dark magic traces on the wand Sirius had taken from home. That confirmed it. She gave a cold laugh. Threw Sirius into the department's prison.
In Britain, they discovered Sirius had escaped. Remus Lupin informed Dumbledore about Sirius's Animagus form. They traced back to Sterling—she'd rescued a matching dog.
The trail led to China. Gemini was completely confused. She had no memory of meeting Sirius.
Six-year-old Harry saw Sirius's prison photo. Remembered the kidnapper incident. Gemini rushed to find Sun Aihua. They compared information.
Dumbledore was speechless. Sirius broke out of Azkaban, traveled to China, and ended up in a Chinese prison?
When Sun Aihua led a group to retrieve Sirius, Dumbledore's eyes nearly bulged.
This buzz-cut, obedient man was Sirius Black?
Sirius called out properly. Entered. Sat rigidly straight. Saw Gemini. Froze for one second. Jumped up. Expression went fierce.
A guard blew a whistle.
Sirius immediately dropped into a practiced crouch, hands on head, shouting in Chinese: "Sir! I didn't do anything!"
Dumbledore and Gemini brought Sirius to the courtyard, expressions complicated. He still wore old clothes the guards had given him. His pre-prison outfit had been destroyed.
Seeing his mother and Harry running around, Sirius finally sat calmly. Waited for Dumbledore's explanation.
It took time to explain Gemini's background and the current situation. Sirius went blank. What had he been doing these years?
After settling in briefly, Sirius grew restless. Hesitantly told Gemini he wanted to return to Britain. Gemini waved dismissively. "Go ahead."
The following years, Sirius traveled with Lupin, hunting Dark wizards. Determined to eliminate them before Harry returned.
Dumbledore was pleased. Finally had capable operatives. Tasks he couldn't handle personally went to the two remaining Marauders.
Sirius spent recent years either in the field or at St. Mungo's. At least he remembered Harry's school start date. Checked into St. Mungo's early this year. Should be released next month. Perfect timing for Harry's train.
Tony smacked his lips. Somewhat speechless. "Sirius's Adventure Story? Or should it be called... Sirius's Prison Saga?"
Gemini rolled her eyes. "If you can't say something useful, don't speak."
Tony grinned sheepishly. "Right. I can't stay long. Did you notice the rift healing?"
Gemini nodded. "According to Sneezewort's calculations, it'll close around when Harry and the others come of age. I'll return before then."
Tony's face turned serious. "You might not last that long. I had Friday record the speed coming over. Recalculated. About five years, maybe less. Complete closure."
Gemini stared at him, surprised. "It's accelerating?"
Tony nodded. "Appears so. Better prepare. Might happen earlier."
Gemini looked thoughtful. "That timing matches my birth approximately. Does this world have a future me? Then who's my mother?"
Tony spread his hands. "You don't know your mother?"
Gemini's mouth twisted. "Supposedly I was abandoned at an orphanage. Wasn't found until age six when my magic exploded. So who my mother is? Nobody knows. Even blood magic tracking only led to a mass grave. Couldn't find anything. Harry had people clean up that site, properly bury those poor souls."
"Well, now's your chance to find out! Watch Sirius—you'll probably discover something." Tony pulled out a small device, scheming. "Inject this into Sirius. Micro-chip. You'll track his status through Sneezewort anytime!"
Gemini hesitated. "Isn't that inappropriate?"
Tony spoke righteously. "Don't you want to know who your mother is?!"
Gemini made her decision. "How does this work? Where's the best injection site?"
Tony personally instructed Gemini on the micro-chip's usage. Left with the data Sneezewort transmitted, thoroughly satisfied.
Gemini sighed. Started distributing gifts to the two children. Had to say, truly Tony—all gifts came in matching pairs. Harry got one, Dudley got one.
The two boys were delighted. Kept asking about Tony until late into the night. Only after Gemini chased them to bed did they stop. Tomorrow they'd visit Diagon Alley. After rejecting Dudley's request to come along, Gemini finally fell asleep peacefully amid protests.
Next morning, Harry paced nervously around the house. He'd witnessed magic before, but Gemini never allowed him to visit any magical locations. At most, he played with magical toys at home or magical games with Dobby. Today was his official entry into the magical world. He'd get his own wand. How could he stay calm?
Coby had prepared breakfast. Gemini called Harry over. "Come eat quickly! The owl won't be late! You'd better think about what you want for your birthday gift!"
Harry reluctantly shifted his gaze from the door. Sighed. Sat in his chair. Started eating longevity noodles—a habit formed in China. Birthday morning always included a bowl of longevity noodles. Dudley was no exception.
After Harry slurped down the noodles, lifted the bowl to drink all the broth, then delicately burped and placed the bowl in the kitchen sink, the door was knocked at that exact moment.
Harry shot forward at lightning speed. Opened the door directly.
Snape stood outside wearing his newest black robes. Hair clean, smooth, and lustrous. A fresh scent of herbs and wood surrounded him.
"Your letter. I'm taking you into Diagon Alley today." Snape said flatly, pulling out a well-preserved letter from his pocket.
The parchment envelope was slightly yellowed. Emerald green ink read: Mr. H. Potter, The Dining Room, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, London. The Hogwarts crest wax seal on the back was intact.
Harry joyfully took the letter. "Professor Snape! Please come in! I thought a school professor would come get me!"
Snape followed Harry inside, explaining flatly. "I am a school professor. This is your mother's request. She hoped I could serve as your guide, bringing you into the magical world."
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