Chapter 37: “Unexpected Reunion”

Harry, after sharing his heart at his grandparents' graves, was about to leave Godric's Hollow with Mira when suddenly, he heard someone call his name.

Shocked and realizing his face had returned to its normal appearance during his emotional tribute, Harry was caught off guard. He had let his guard down, forgetting to maintain his disguise. As he turned around, expecting to quickly leave to avoid confrontation, he recognized the voice and paused.

The person calling him was none other than Sirius Black, his godfather.

Harry was in a dilemma, unsure whether to approach Sirius or to escape, especially since he wasn't sure if Sirius knew about the fact that he wasn't staying with the Dursleys or his supposed demise.

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Ever since the fateful night when Harry was taken away, Sirius had dedicated every spare moment to finding his godson, driven by relentless guilt and a desperate need to ensure Harry's safety.

His search had been exhaustive, spanning every corner of the wizarding world and even venturing into Muggle areas. Sirius had scoured every possible lead. He tried to get hints from Lily's friends and even ventured into Muggle areas, hoping against hope to spot Harry. He questioned countless individuals, seeking any information that could lead him to Harry, but all his efforts seemed in vain.

Sirius Black's dedication to finding Harry reached a critical moment two years back, on a day that should have been filled with celebration for Harry's fifth birthday. Instead, it marked the final rupture of Sirius's ties with his once-close friends, particularly James Potter.

At the Ministry of Magic, filled with a sliver of hope, Sirius approached James with a simple request: to deliver a birthday gift to Harry. James's refusal, coupled with his admission that they hadn't visited or checked on Harry for over a year, shocked Sirius to his core.

For Sirius, James had been more than a friend; he was like a brother. The thought of Harry, alone and possibly neglected on his birthday, especially in the care of the Dursleys—a family known for their disdain for magic—was too much for Sirius to bear. James's indifference, based solely on Dumbledore's assurances, was incomprehensible and unforgivable to Sirius.

The ensuing argument was intense and bitter. Sirius could no longer see himself reconciling with James and others who had seemingly abandoned Harry. His godson, whom he had promised to protect, was left in an environment similar to the one Sirius himself had desperately wanted to escape from in his youth. This realization deepened the sense of betrayal Sirius felt, transforming his anguish into a resolute determination to find Harry.

Sirius's pilgrimage to Godric's Hollow on the anniversary of the Potters' deaths was part of this ongoing quest. Each year, he visited the graves, a ritual that kept his determination alive. He hoped, against all odds, to find some clue, some sign of Harry.

This year, as he approached the graveyard, his heart heavy with memories and what-ifs, he spotted a young boy with an elf. Seeing the unusual sight of a boy with an elf leaving the graveyard, something clicked in Sirius's mind.

Without thinking, Sirius called out, "Harry?" hoping, yet not daring to believe.

And to Sirius's astonishment, the boy stopped.

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Harry was unaware of Sirius's thorough search for him. His dilemma now was how to proceed, especially after Sirius had seen him alive. Harry couldn't just fight Sirius and make him forget what he saw.

Stuck between running away or facing Sirius, Harry had to make a tough choice. Could he trust Sirius, the man who was supposed to be his godfather, not to betray him again? Despite his doubts, Harry chose to confront Sirius, needing to know where his loyalties lay.

His secret of being alive was out, and the only way to fix things was to get Sirius to support him.

"Sirius, don't come any closer, or I'll leave with Mira," Harry warned, his tone firm but filled with an undercurrent of uncertainty.

Sirius, recognizing Harry and overwhelmed by emotion, stopped in his tracks. "Harry, it's me. I've missed you so much. I've been looking for you for years. I wanted to make sure you were safe." he said, his voice filled with a mix of happiness and sadness.

Harry looked at Sirius with a mix of confusion and anger. "Safe? Sirius, I was far from safe! Can you tell me honestly, did you have a hand in me being sent away?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of the bitterness he felt.

Sirius's face fell as he realized the implications of Harry's words. Harry had not been happy and had escaped on his own. He was proud Harry had managed to escape the Dursleys on his own but also sad because it meant Harry hadn't been happy.

"Harry, I tried to fight against it. But no one would listen to me," Sirius admitted.

Harry shot back, "But you were supposed to be my godfather. You should've fought harder."

The regret was clear on Sirius's face. "I know, Harry, and I'm so sorry. I was outnumbered, and I didn't stand up as I should have. But I promise, from now on, I'll protect you. And you should know, I've cut ties with James and Dumbledore when I realized they weren't looking out for you. You don't have to worry about me taking you back to them."

Harry thought over what Sirius had said. He always felt closer to Sirius than to James, maybe because of how Sirius was portrayed as fun-loving in the canon. Yet, in those tales, Sirius never seemed to fully grow up.

Now, standing in front of Harry, Sirius appeared different, like he had matured in the years they'd been apart. It was clear something significant had changed him since Harry had been sent to live with the Dursleys.

Despite this, Harry knew that trusting someone wasn't simple. "I'd like to trust you, Sirius," Harry said cautiously, "but I need to be certain. Your words alone aren't enough for me right now."

Sirius nodded, understanding the wariness in Harry's eyes. He could wait and it was good knowing that Harry had escaped those magic-hating people. "Harry, take all the time you need. Just know I'm here for you, whenever you're ready."

Harry took a deep breath, weighing his options. "I'm going to go for now. I need to verify the things you've told me. I'll reach out to you through Mira after I've thought things over. And Sirius, make sure no one knows about this meeting. They might still think I'm dead, and I want to keep it that way for now."

Sirius's eyes widened slightly, a realization dawning on him. "Of course, Harry. Your secret's safe with me. But... what do you mean... everyone thinks you're...?"

Harry didn't elaborate, leaving the sentence hanging. "Just remember, keep this to yourself for now, Sirius. That's all I'm asking."

With a final look at Sirius, Harry signaled to Mira, and in an instant, they disappeared, leaving Sirius alone with his thoughts. The meeting had opened old wounds but also rekindled a flicker of hope in his heart.

As Sirius stood there, gazing at the spot where Harry had vanished, he made a silent vow to make amends, to be the godfather Harry deserved. The road to rebuilding their bond would be long and uncertain, but for Sirius, it was a journey worth taking.