THE LIGHTNING LORD

Chapter 22 : Meeting the werewolf

Harry spent Christmas day and the following days in the presence of his godfather in Black Manor. Sirius had first thought of going to his childhood home in London but had decided against it as he didn't want to reminisce the bad childhood memories he experienced within the manor. Though Harry thought the Black Lord was doing much better than the last time he had seen him in person, he was glad he made some improvement via the mind healer's therapy to come to terms with what had happened. As it was Christmas day, Harry gave Sirius something he thought his godfather definitely needed.

"Sirius I know how much you hate Kreacher, and you said the hate is mutual and that he may try to kill you, so my gift to you are Floppy, Twinkie, Daisy and Lucky." Immediately four house elves popped next to him and said happily "Hello Master Sirius."

Sirius was ecstatic as he didn't have to deal with Kreacher and immediately bonded them to the Black family on their request. Harry explained that they were being abused in a pub in Knockturn Ally, and had helped free them. The elves wanted a master, and Harry had thought of his godfather. The elves were overjoyed, thanked them both and immediately started cleaning the large manor that had been run down due to negligence.

"Thanks, Harry. Now, for your gift, I want you to sit down and close your eyes, okay? Don't open them until I say so" he said and left the room. He noticed after a minute that the older man had come back. "Okay kiddo, open your eyes now."

Harry opened his eyes to find a puppy wagging its tail. It barked and leapt onto Harry and started licking his face. Harry was shocked and started laughing. He never, in a million years would have imagined that Sirius would buy him a dog!

"A dog, really Sirius." Harry said amusingly.

"He's a Crup Harry, a magical dog. I'm sure he'll bring some joy in your life and besides, every boy needs a dog" he said grinning.

Harry laughed as the crup sat on his lap and wagged his tail. "Thank you so much, Padfoot. This is an amazing gift. He needs a name, doesn't he? Hm, what to call you? How about Tango?" he asked the puppy. The crup barked and wagged his tail. Sirius smiled as he watched Harry laugh and play with his new friend. It was so difficult to make Harry smile and not be so cold as he always was.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - TIME SKIP - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On the evening of the 29th of December, Remus Lupin stepped out of the fireplace in Black Manor. He was greeted by a House Elf that showed him to the formal drawing room. Remus was of in awe of the wealth and splendour of the place; he had forgotten what large manors were like, as Potter Manor was the only home of an Ancient House he had visited. As he entered, he saw his friend Sirius stop his pacing and turned whilst giving him a small smile telling Remus to sit on the couch. They sat for a minute in silence, but Remus felt someone was watching him. He turned to look at a young boy and gasped. This had to Harry, he thought. When he had agreed to meet Harry, he expected the boy to look exactly like his friend James, with Lily's eyes. But that face wasn't what was staring back at him. He was looking at a tall, extremely good looking boy with his emerald eyes glowing showcasing his power. This was no ordinary eleven year he thought as he shivered when he looked at the cold expression on the boy's face. The happiness and mirth he remembered seeing on Harry's face when he was a baby were nowhere in sight.

Sirius decided to break the silence. "How have you been Remus?" he asked.

The man shrugged, "Okay I guess. I've been abroad, working in the muggle world, since, you know, no one in the wizarding world wants to hire me. I was completely cut off from Britain and only came yesterday after Dumbledore called me back and to meet you both" he said.

There was silence in the room as turned to Harry face the window, looking at the overgrown gardens around the manor as he said, "Oh? And what did Albus Dumbledore want with you?"