Revelation

Dumbledore was frantically pacing around the living room of 12 Grimmauld Place, unconcerned about the damage his anxious walking was causing to Sirius's precious Persian rug.

We must immediately start searching for them.

Let's see, Albus. After all those sleepless nights searching for Ryan, we all need a little rest. And then I shouldn't say this, but maybe it's for the best. My little Ryan needs rest, after hisTraumatic events and you know how heavy the atmosphere is when he is there. And then I feel more at ease without that bunch of snakes around. Lily opposed.

What is wrong with you? I remind you that they kidnapped my daughter, shouted Sirius Black.

Sirius, I doubt he really needed to remove it. His wife intervened: Evana Black.

Pardon? Sirius took offense.

Oh come on, Sirius. It's obvious. Even Servilus understood it. James teased him good-naturedly, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

What do you mean? What has that snake Servilus done to my daughter? Sirius exclaimed indignantly. As usual, when it came to his precious daughter, he flew off the handle.

They all looked at each other awkwardly.

You know your daughter is at an age where one starts to experiment... began James.

You think she's dating Neville. Come on, that's nonsense. Neville is a nice boy, but they are not compatible at all. My daisy has a much too strong personality for him.

Everyone did a facepalm.

My darling, you know that I love you. But sometimes, I wonder how you figured out that we were dating. Joked Evana Black.

While they tried to make Sirius accept the inconvenient truth, Albus Dumbledore used the excuse of age to sigh for a few moments and restrain the mix of anger and guilt that gripped his heart as he watched the lightness with which they treated Harry's disappearance. However, in public, he knew he had to contain his feelings. He could not afford to fall out with the Potters and the Blacks. That would happen soon enough when he had to reveal the truth about Harry to everyone. He then noticed that next to them Ryan continued, as if nothing had happened, to enjoy a gigantic ice cream cone while reading a book on Quidditch, even though his twin brother might be in danger.

This attitude, from the only family member who did not have the excuse of the presence of the phoenix web, scandalized him. Of course, Ryan's extraordinary egocentrism was a consequence as deleterious as it was unforeseen of the powerful mind control spell called the phoenix web, which he had to apply to the Potters and the Blacks so they would not prevent Harry from fulfilling his destiny through an overly protective attitude. Or rather, from the education his parents had given him under its influence. However, at this moment, itexasperated him more than ever. Was it because the current situation made him less forgiving, or had his recent abduction made him even more selfish than before? But he was violently pulled out of his thoughts before he could determine it, by a violent cry from Sirius.

No!!!! I would never tolerate a filthy snake like him touching my sand rose.

I doubt that she will ask for your permission. James half-sneered.

What!!! James, I'm warning you, with all due respect, if he so much as thinks of dishonoring her, I'll deprive him of descendants.

No, but do you hear yourself!? One would think they were hearing my father. Evana Black intervened.

It has nothing to do with it. Sirius defended himself vehemently.

Sirius, don't worry. Most girls go through a Bad-boy phase. Do you remember when I was dating Snape? It's just a passing phase. Lily tried to calm him.

Yes, Elizabeth is intelligent. Trust her, James supported.

And then you know how teenagers are. If you forbid her from seeing him, you'll only encourage her. Added Evana.

Then, to Albus's great relief, the fireplace lit up and Remus Lupin hurriedly emerged. Immediately, the friendly atmosphere became tense.

Remus. Sirius greeted him awkwardly, while James barely dared to look at him.

But the werewolf ignored them and immediately rushed at Albus.

I came as soon as I could. You said there's a problem with Harry. What have they done to him again?

How dare you insinuate that we mistreat one of our children? How can you believe that dirty snake rather than us? We are your friends, after all. Lily protested.

For any response, she received a dark look from the werewolf. Who continued to rail in Albus's direction:

I demand to see him immediately and be able to take him home. Nothing justifies his presence here anymore.

Remus, I would gladly comply with your demands if I knew where he was. Albus Dumbledore replied calmly, happy to finally have a conversation partner capable of understanding the gravity of the situation. For the first time, he was glad that Remus's nature immunized him against the effects of the phoenix's web. However, before Remus could recover from the shock of learning about the disappearance of his almost adoptive son, the house alarmHeld for the third time today. Despite the reinforced protections, someone had managed to break into the Black family's home.

Everyone hastily drew their wand. Everyone except Sirius, who, thanks to the protections, already knew the identity of the intruder. Red with anger, he ignored his friends who had taken a defensive position and rushed to the entrance, and in front of a terrified Dark-Harry, he shouted at the top of his lungs:

UNBSDRLFKJN !

Alas, what!

Ideas, each more indecent than the last, rushed into Sirius's mind to the point that he could only say:

CONDOMS? DID YOU USE CONDOMS?

oOoOoOo

After the young and almost innocent Dark-Harry had recovered from this particularly energetic welcome, he rushed to Dumbledore and explained the situation in detail, omitting nothing (including the proposal Voldemort had made to him). Contrary to what everyone seemed to think, he wasn't foolish enough to fall into the same trap twice.

He wasn't sure it was much smarter to trust the old man (especially since he knew nothing about the Dumbledore of this version). However, he didn't have the luxury of being picky in choosing his allies. Not to mention that despite all their differences, in the end, the Dumbledore of his world had sacrificed himself to try to save him.

This is nonsense. Albus, you can't seriously believe this ridiculous story about dimensional travel and resurrecting the dead. James Potter interrupted him immediately at the end of his tale.

I know you're jealous of Ryan's fame, but this time, you're going too far. Making up such a story, just to make people believe you're the survivor. Added Lily.

Tell us immediately what you did with my daughter. Yelled Black.

Only several years of training in self-control prevented Remus Lupin from yelling at his former best friends. For the umpteenth time, he wondered how this boy, so open-minded and generous who had offered him his friendship, could have become so dogmatic and hateful as he grew up. Despite Snape's insistent remarks on the subject, he refused to believe that all this time, he had been deluded about his best friends. Only someone profoundly good could have overlooked the monster living within him.

At that time when the Wolfsbane Potion was still just a fantasy, even his parents looked at him with fear. Nevertheless, he couldn't blame them. Anyone sensible would have been scared after witnessing month after month his transformations into a bloodthirsty beast whose murderous howls haunted them no matter how thick the insulation they surrounded their basement with. But he returned to the present and prepared once again to take Harry's side against his best friends. It tore him apart each time, but his only regret afterward was not being able to do it more often and more vigorously, at the risk of further reducing the time he was allowed to spend with the child who desperately needed everysecond that he could spend with an adult who did not constantly belittle him. But for once, it was not him who had this thankless task.

Harry is not a liar. If he is in danger, we must go help him. And anyway, I can see that it's not my brother. He is not at all like him. Ryan intervened, surprising everyone.

My Ryanouchet, how tender-hearted you are, but there's no need to lie to defend it,… Exclaimed Lily while hugging Ryan.

Mom, stop. Ryan replied, pushing his mother away. Harry is not at all like him. How can you not see it? The real Harry is full of confidence and his magical power is such that when he is angry, my throat gets tight.

What!? What did that dirty snake do to you? If he hurt you in any way, I'll... James threatened.

You are not going anywhere. Remus blocked him reflexively by getting between him and Dark-Harry, noticing that the latter was uncomfortable (James's attitude reminded him of his uncle).

Dumbledore then intervened in an authoritative tone:

I think Ryan is right. The priority must be to ensure that Harry and those who accompanied him on this unreasonable expedition are safe and sound. Dumbledore hoped that his intervention would convince them to finally set aside their petty disagreements to focus on the common good. Once he was sure he had their full attention, he ordered:

James, go fetch me that invisibility cloak, will you.

Albus, you can't be serious, it's a family heirloom.

Harry is part of your family, Remus intervened.

I intend it for Ryan. James retorted.

It is Harry who has the invisibility cloak. Finally, our Harry. I know he used it to go to Hogsmeade, even though you didn't give him permission. It must be somewhere in his room. Ryan reported.

How did he dare to go through my things? And why didn't you tell us anything? Don't tell me that's why you weren't safe in the Gryffindor tower when Peter took you? James asked, raising his voice for the first time in 12 years against his favorite son.

Uh, well. Ryan hesitated, suddenly uncomfortable.

I am proud of you, my son. Suddenly embracing James Potter, forgetting all notions of parental responsibility.

James! Lily scolded him playfully with a conspiratorial smile.

But Ryan pushed away with annoyance his parents' umpteenth attempt to smother him with their affection since he had woken up that morning in front of 12 Grimmauld Place without the slightest memory of the past month, which he had apparently spent under the captivity of Peter Pettigrew (and Voldemort if one believed Dumbledore's unfounded fears). Once freed from his mother's arms, he turned to Dumbledore, who was just coming out of Harry's room with a silvery fabric that rippled supernaturally despite the absence of wind.

Indeed, without anyone noticing from the moment of Ryan's revelation, Dumbledore had rushed into the eldest Potter's room with an eagerness that would have raised many questions if, as usual, all the attention had not been focused on Ryan.

Well, James and Lily stayed here with the survivor. Please contact as many members of the order as possible and tell them to get to Little Hangleton as quickly as possible. Remus, you come with me.

I'm coming with you! Ryan stopped them.

Before Dumbledore could express his annoyance at Ryan's umpteenth whim, Lily threw herself at him.

My treasure, it's so heroic of you? But you are too important for us to risk losing you.

If the prophecy is true, then only I can stop Voldemort. And even if Harry and I don't get along, I can't stand by and do nothing while he's in danger. He's my brother.

For once, Dumbledore did not have to pretend to be moved by this plea. For the first time in a long while, he began to believe that the damage he had caused to the Potter family was not entirely irreversible. He wanted so much to believe it that he did not question the causes of this sudden change in Ryan's character. Instead, he ordered in a tone that brooked no reply.

No. Your time will come, but for now, you must stay safe with your parents.

Dumbledore then cast a complicated spell and created a perfect replica of the invisibility cloak before placing the original on the first piece of furniture within reach and addressing Dark-Harry:

Until further notice, stay under this cloak. I promise to do everything to recover your double safe and sound and send you back home.

Excuse me Albus, but if this cloak is to protect someone, it's Ryan. Intervened James Potter. My son, your mother wanted to wait until you were older, but I think it's time for you to receive your inheritance. And then I have the impression that you didn't wait for our permission to use it. He added, winking at his son. Without asking for permission, James snatched the cloak from Albus's hands and with a solemn tone, raised his wand and declared solemnly:

I, James Potter, took our lineage to report their protection onto the new generation. My son, take this cloak and through it, may you be protected from everything, even death, so that you may grow and attain the wisdom necessary to accept it as an old friend.

Then a strange magic wrapped around James and Ryan Potter for a few seconds. Once it had disappeared, James gave the cloak to Ryan who accepted it with a mix of emotions difficult to decipher on his face. Ryan seemed strangely satisfied, which gave his face an unpleasant look. However, James paid no more attention to his son's strange expression than to the pensive one Dumbledore wore and explained to his son:

Our grandfather was convinced that this ritual allowed the cloak to grant its wearer special protection. That it was necessary for the cloak to recognize its wearer as its true owner and grant them all its powers. I thought it was yet another absurd pure-blood superstition and that this cloak was just a higher-quality invisibility cloak than those available on the market. But apparently, I was wrong. In order to perpetuate this ancient Potter tradition, when we were targeted by Voldemort, I preemptively performed the ritual to give the cloak to Harry, but even though he is the eldest by a few seconds, I think you deserve it more than he does. Especially now that I know it may actually have hidden and potentially dangerous powers.

Dumbledore then cleared his throat and asked in a humble voice:

James, I understand your concerns and I know I have no right to tell you what to do with such a precious object, however, if his story is accurate, I fear our guest may need the cloak to preserve his strength.

Without waiting for a response, he took the cloak from Ryan's hand (who seemed very unhappy about it) and placed it at Dark-Harry's disposal on a piece of furniture next to him.

Then without further hesitation, Dumbledore went to the doorstep of 12 Grimmauld Place and disapparated while Lily threw a handful of green powder into the kitchen fireplace.

Meanwhile, Dark-Harry headed for the cloak, wondering if he could really trust the old man, before being intercepted by this brother he didn't know what to think of. His only experience of brotherhood was his more than painful interactions with Dudley. So at first glance, he had no desire to get closer to him. However, he was a real brother, and what had just happened gave him a faint hope that he might be less disappointing than his parents. Thus, he did not distrust him when he dragged him into one of the many rooms of the Blacks' manor, away from the prying eyes of adults.

oOoOoOo

Author's note: I shamelessly borrowed the idea of a blind Sirius to the love stories around him from the excellent fic:Le-Dernier-Secret ofEllana-san I know that plagiarism is not good, but it's way too funny not to be copied.

Reader: A bit like Doctor House's lines in Harry Dursley?

Serpenfou throws a smoke bomb on the ground, spends 10 minutes on the ground coughing his lungs out because of the smoke, then runs away.