𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 ━ Golden Trio Era

━chapter 16

Chapter 16
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IT TOOK ONE EXTRA DAY FOR HARRY TO MUSTER UP THE COURAGE TO CALL SIRIUS. All he had to do was call him through the fireplace, and simply say that he wanted to talk, and Sirius was already arranging for them to meet over the weekend.

And then here they were, at Hog's Head, on Saturday morning, as he sipped on his butterbeer, and Sirius traced the red words on the back of Harry's hand, as though he was the most delicate thing in the whole world.

It took all of his effort for Harry to not snatch his hand back. He didn't think he ever felt so vulnerable in his life.

"Hermione's been using murtlap, you said?"

Harry nodded wordlessly.

The others weren't there. Remus decided it was best to give Harry and Sirius some privacy, which Harry was immensely grateful for. It wasn't that he didn't trust Remus. He definitely did. It took a lot of courage to even show his scar to Sirius, and he didn't think he was ready to be this vulnerable in front of two people at the same time, yet.

Remus seemed to understand that. He thought it best to keep the others company, bringing them to The Three Broomsticks instead.

Sirius released his hand, and Harry wasted no time in pulling in under the table, out of sight.

"Haz. Did I...did I do anything to make you distrust me?"

"No!" Harry exclaimed right away. "It's not your fault. It was never your fault. I just — I didn't want..."

How was he supposed to explain that he was fine? At least, that he thought he was fine? That the idea to even tell someone, to seek help hadn't even occurred to him until someone pointed it out to him?

Perhaps, he didn't have to explain himself. Harry merely glanced at his godfather, and he could see nothing but understanding in his eyes.

Sirius took off his leather jacket, suddenly, and pulled his short sleeve over his shoulder, revealing lightning-like scars adorning his shoulder all the way to his back. There was a tattoo covering most of it, but the scar was still distinguishable if one knew to look for it.

"Courtesy of my dear mother."

Harry's eyes widened in shock. "She — she did that to you?"

Sirius nodded. "The summer after my first year at Hogwarts. She wasn't happy about the friends that I had made, so she decided to throw a curse at me." He pulled the shirtsleeve back down, but he left his jacket off. "But you know what was worse, Haz?"

"What?"

"I thought it was normal," revealed Sirius.

Harry couldn't help but inhale a deep breath from the ball that was forming in his throat. He could feel his eyes turn glassy.

"It wasn't until your dad saw it one day and told me that wasn't okay."

Harry was still. He didn't know what to say, or what to feel. He simply looked at his godfather, and the man didn't hesitate to pull him into a hug.

Harry didn't like being crowded often. But sometimes, a hug was all he needed. He lived without them for far too long.

"It's difficult to speak up when you didn't even know you had to say something, isn't it?"

Harry nodded into his shoulder.

"Everything's alright, Haz. We'll get through this together."