HP : TRIUMPH

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(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

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Sirius gave Dee a wide grin.

"It's perfectly fine. You were just defending my cute little godson's honour!" He said cheerfully giving a thumbs up.

Remus gave a shuddering sigh and side stepped the man to warmly hug Harry.

"Nice to see you Harry."

"You too Remus."

"Let's eat some cake!" Sirius cried happily. "Ooh! I want to sit up on the balcony floor! Come one Remus! Let's get a seat!"

Harry watched with a smile as his godfather bounced up a set of twirling stairs to plop down in one of the high back chairs with an expression of childish glee. Harry hid a giggle and quickly moved to get a set of plain grey tea and loaded the rest of the tray with treats. He quickly took it up to the pair and found himself joining them as he listened to Sirius chatter about nothing in particular. Harry eyed them both as he did so.

Sirius's hair had been washed and combed and was soft and silky falling just past his shoulders in waves that were pulled back in a low ponytail. Bluish grey eyes sparkled happily and his face wasn't as gaunt. He was as pale as ever but he now had some fat and muscle. While he'd shaved off most of his beard he'd kept a slight goatee and moustache. He looked years younger.

Remus's hair seemed slightly less grey and wrinkles on his face had vanished. His eyes shone a beautiful amber, filled with kindness and warmth. They both wore beautiful robes and looked so happy.

Harry smiled softly, glad the two were doing well even when 'fugitives'. Now that he thought of it, if his godfather hadn't looked so insane in his wanted photo and so cheerful now, Harry might have had some panic. But as of yet no one seemed to realize Sirius was that Sirius Black.

Harry enjoyed the afternoon filled with idle chatter and flying sweets, and laughter, and sense of family.

.-.

"I'm sorry but we're closing soon." Harry said as he heard the shop bell.

"Harry?"

Harry's head whipped and he dropped the tray in his hand. Harry stared, not minding of the glass that had just shattered on the floor. Hermione and Ron were staring right back.

"Harry!"

Hermione launched herself at him and hugged him tightly. Harry hugged her back numbly. It was over. They knew he wasn't at his relatives. His friends would hate him for lying to them, and he'd be dragged back to his prison. He wouldn't get to go back to his house and Harold. No more reading or baking when he felt like it. No more yard and faeries and neighbours and soccer practice. He stood frozen as this hit him.

A sharp slap made him blink back into awareness. He looked back, expecting anger. Instead he saw Hermione's compassionate face. She reached up and gently cupped the cheek she'd just slapped.

"Oh Harry." She whispered. "We were so worried."

"Worried?" He asked blankly.

"We knew you weren't at your relative's house. Your letters lacked the feelings you associated with that house. We knew you were fine but we didn't know where you were." She whispered. "And then my mom and dad came home yesterday talking about the nice young man they had met with black hair and green eyes and glasses and I knew it was you."

"You could have told us mate." Ron said with a crooked grin. "We wouldn't have ratted you out."

"You won't?" Harry asked surprised as he fell back in a chair.

"Harry! We're your friends." Hermione said. "We'd follow you anywhere. We're on your side."

Harry felt tears.

"You're really on my side."

"Of course mate. Even if you want to go against Dumbledore." Ron joked.

"Yes Harry. We're on your side." Hermione said more softly, more seriously. "And we won't ever betray you. But you have to trust us sometimes."

Ron gave another crooked smile and a nod.

"I even snuck off to Hermione's under the alibi of 'visiting the muggle world for a day'. We went and bought muggle clothes and rode the bus and watched the TB."

"TV, Ron." Hermione corrected. "It took a while for us to work up the courage to see you."

"Why?" Harry asked confused.

"We didn't want to scare you off, and we were worried you were mad with us."

"Why?" He asked surprised.

"Because you didn't trust us."

"I…I trust you." He said softly. "But I was so worried you'd accidentally tell someone, like your parents and they'd drag me back to the Dursely's."

"We can keep your secrets secret Harry." Hermione smiled. "But first you have to trust us with those secrets."

.-.

Harry moaned under Dee's ministrations. A hand brushed the waist of his pants and he squeaked.

"Not so soon!" Harry squeaked.

Dee gave a cluck of his tongue and a tsk but backed off. Harry enjoyed one more sharp kiss, today's events pushed from his mind, before standing. Dee licked his lisp as if the taste was still there and smirked lazily at him.

"I heard you're going out tomorrow." He remarked.

"Yes. I'm going to The Bazaar with Sirius and Remus."

"Will you come to the café at all?"

"Yes. After I'm finished in the Bazaar."

"Good. I want to take you to dinner tomorrow."

Harry blinked in surprise but them smiled shyly.

"I'd like that."

Harry checked himself over one last time. He wore some loose black pants, a burgundy t-shirt, a pair of black running shoes, and a cloak he'd gotten from Remus that was held shut with a silver-colored wolf pin. A small satchel was around his shoulders with some money, some snacks, a water bottle, and a few other items.

He also had a set of small papers stuffed in the front pocket of the satchel, summoning circles already drawn up on them. Harry had practiced summoning with the smaller circles the night before with Harold and was sure he had it down pat. It wasn't that different from drawing the circle on the ground, it just took a bit more control of his magic. His wand was on the holster at his waists, safety spells all around it to keep thieves from touching it, the same for his bag.

Harry picked the leash and collar up off the counter and examined them briefly. He'd bought them earlier. They were made out of sturdy leather and Harold had cast some spells on them to make them stronger and sturdier.

Harry shrugged his thoughts aside and pulled out the summoning sheet on the top. He let his magic flow into it and felt the runes activate. He threw it to the ground and in a swirl of light Crook appeared. The hellhound was growling at being summoned but perked up as it saw Harry. It sat and gave him a doggy grin.

"Hey Crook." Harry smiled. "I have a favour to ask."

It barked.

"I'm going out today to a market. This market isn't the safest so I was wondering if you would be my guard."

It gave a bark and nod.

"Wonderful! But you can't attack anyone unless they attack me. You are allowed to growl as threateningly as you want and snap at people, but unless they do something no biting or mauling. And if I say the word….um…'crooked' you have to cease attacking and calm immediately. Is that okay?"

The dog gave a bark of agreement.

"And you have to wear a collar and leash."

It seemed to give a shrug as Harry held up the studded leather collar. Harry strapped it to the dog, careful not to get any of the blood dripping from the dog on his hands. When that was done he stood. A click signified the front door being opened and Harry glanced up as Fujita entered the café through the magical side. The man blinked lazily at him, then at the vicious looking dog dripping blood.

"Fujita, this is Crook. He's a hellhound."

Fujita stared.

"I… didn't know you were a Necromancer."

Harry shrugged.

"Just found out less than a month ago. I've been practicing every day but I still only summon Demon Beasts. And I only specialize in demons. Can't do anything with spirits."

"Oh."

Fujita cast a cleaning spell at the floor and Crook's bloody footprints vanished. The door clicked again and the scene in the window changed to a brightly lit alley. Remus was knocking on the window with a smile. Harry grinned and gently tugged Crook with him as he went to the door. With a wave to Fujita he stepped out onto the busy streets. Remus stood in a pair of tan pants and a white t-shirt. A huge Grim sat at his feet panting. Crook caught sight of said Grim and growled at him. The Grim yelped and in a swirl he was a man in blue jeans and a green shirt.

"What the hell is that?!" Sirius yelped, leaping behind Remus at the hounds growls.

"This is Crook." Harry smiled. "He's my guard for the day."

"He's leaving bloody footprints." Sirius whimpered

"He's a hellhound." Harry shrugged. "They all seem to be dripping with blood all the time."

"A hellhound?!" Remus yelped. "But that means you know a necromancer!"

"Yup." Harry smiled. "Harold, my teacher, is a necromancer. I am too."

"Wait. You're a necromancer?" Sirius spluttered.

"Yup, but I can only deal with demons."

"That reassuring." Sirius said sarcastically.

Crook growled, not liking his tone.

"Nice doggy." Sirius said quickly.

"Crook, these are Remus and Sirius. They're my family. You can not harm them no matter what, okay?"

It gave a sigh but Harry smiled.

.-.

Harry looked around excitedly. The streets were bustling and stands held everything from socks to things he'd never seen in his life. They were in a shopping district area. Sirius said the food district was coming up. The districts were split for 'convenience'.

They stepped across a street and it was like crossing an invisible line. Pottery was replaced by drinks and socks were replaced with foods. Every nationality had food vendors along this street, in between the food vendors were pathways to doors that were the front entrances to restaurants. Crook sneezed at the assault of food smells and snorted. Remus also grimaced slightly. Sirius was already bouncing around asking about different foods. Harry sniffed around and found himself drawn to a stand that had a bunch of meats on shish kabob sticks roasting over a grill. A hunched over man ran it.

"What can I get you sonny?" The man grinned showing missing teeth.

Crook narrowed his eyes at the man in warning but sniffed at the meats before sitting back down. Harry gave the man a galleon and in return got six sticks with seven small bite sized pieces of meat on each on. He gave one to Crook with no hesitation and the hound ate it, stick and all happily. He held the next out to Remus who was keeping an eye on both him and Sirius. Remus smiled his thanks and picked a round a few pieces but ate most of it. He gave the kinds he didn't like to Crook as they were all different kinds of meat. Harry gave the third to Sirius who took it and bounced to another stall. He kept the rest, wrapping a few up in a paper bag and eating one.

"What was the first meat?" Harry asked curiously.

The vendor grinned and tapped a sign with a cane.

"Cat meat."

Harry wrinkled his nose but had to admit it had been good. He could never tell Alice, Hatter, and March Hare of this though.

Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.

You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.

Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!

http//patreon.com/BLAKE025

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

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