After Harry went down for the night, Hydrus also went to bed. Sirius would have to wait until morning. He hadn't slept in three days and Pepper-up potion only took you so far. So an emotionally and physically exhausted immortal fell to his bed, completely clothed, and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Either Harry hadn't woken through the night, or Tippy took care of him, either way Hydrus woke up refreshed and much calmer. He did his morning rituals and went to see if Harry was still asleep. When he didn't see the toddler in the cot, Hydrus figured he was with Tippy. So he made his way to the room Sirius used the other night, seeing the man asleep on the bed, he sighed in relief and went to the kitchen.
Harry was sitting in his chair, munching away on his breakfast. So, Hydrus ruffled his hair as he went by and made himself some scrambled eggs and toast. When Sirius joined them this time it was without fanfare. They talked about non-important things, both having been taught the dining room table was not a place for heavy conversation. Hydrus once again asked Tippy to tend to Harry, hoping that when everything was settled better, he could spend more time with his younger self.
The two men made their way to the living room, this time the atmosphere was much more relaxed.
"So how did it go with the lawyer?"
"Well, I got to tell you, we cut it close. I just got the will read, when the summons to the Wizengamot was owled in," Sirius answered, with a shrug. "They were too late, of course. I hired the lawyer, Mr. Greenway, to represent me; I even gave him the memory of the switch. He said it would take a few days and to hide out until I heard from him."
"That's good," Hydrus sighed and then changed the subject. "I went to try and find Peter after you left. But the trail grew cold and I have no idea if he is alive or dead. I have my suspicions that Snape saw him last, but if he found out the rat was the one who got Mum killed, I don't hold much hope of Pettigrew coming out alive." He could try summoning the shade, but he didn't think that would be good for his frayed nerves.
"Snivellus," Sirius snarled.
"I know, I know, but there are a few things you don't know about the man. I'm not going to defend him right now. We have other things to worry about," Hydrus said firmly.
"Like what?"
"Harry, Death Eaters, Dumbledore, Remus, Gringotts, your anger, the whole Boy Who Lived thing or loads of other things," the older man listed, ticking his fingers for each item. "Plus I have my shop and accounts to maintain."
"Let's start with Remus," Sirius said, wondering what happened to the werewolf in Hydrus's timeline. "As far as we knew, until Peter betrayed James, he was under suspicion as going Dark. I didn't want to believe it, but the evidence was overwhelming. He was hardly ever coming to meetings and when he was there he was distant. Now, I don't know what to think."
"Well, I can tell you here and now, that Remus is not and never will be drawn to the Dark. I think you guys were so worried about a spy you grabbed a hold of the first bit of gossip and ran with it. I, for one, think it is disgusting the way people will listen to rumors before listening to fact," Hydrus said with a curl of his lip. Yeah, he still had issues about that.
"What? No, Peter said… Dumbledore was worried…"
"That's another thing, why do you blindly follow that man? Yeah, I get that he stopped a war, and that he should be honored for that. However, one fight does not a leader make," Hydrus interrupted him. "Dumbledore does his best, but you can't fight a war with stunners. Leaving an enemy at your back is suicide."
"But, he is in charge of so many political positions," the confused man said.
"Those were all thrust on him. He never asked to be in charge, the wizarding world simply took it upon themselves to put him on a pedestal and leave him there. Like I said, he does his best, but no one, and I mean no one, should have that much power."
"Dumbledore is a great man!" Sirius yelled in defense, leaping from his chair.
"Don't you bloody well start yelling," Hydrus snapped and waited for the man to sit back down. "I never said he wasn't. I only said he shouldn't have that much control. People with that much political power either wind up hubristic or Dark. And if you look back on his actions you will see that once he sets his mind to something, there is very little that can change it. I put the blame directly on the wizarding public. If the common witch or wizard would just think for themselves, Dumbledore wouldn't have to do all their thinking for them," the immortal said exasperated. It was going to be something he was going to try and fix with his and George's inventions. Not to mention the people that would try and stop him. He might get a few that would be angry enough to try and kill him, as well. He was going to have to be careful.
....
Can't wait to read ahead by more than 60 exciting premium chapters.
Then Join my p*atreon right now.
Link: p#atreon.com/InfinityWeaver (Remove the #)
Free members can unlock 2 chapters.