My Godfather

Chapter IV: Rule Breaking

As Sirius was sitting and reading the letters he had received from the Gringotts regarding his account, Harry came downstairs, warily. Sirius sighed internally. It was evident that last night's reassurance had not smoothed out his godson's worries. With an encouraging smile on his face, Sirius led Harry to the breakfast table, aware that Harry was still too afraid to do anything on his own.

"Did you sleep well pup?" He asked, still smiling and Harry nodded timidly. He made sure that Harry had enough on his plate and only then did he sit down and start his own breakfast. As he was eating his beacon, another thought crossed his mind: What if those marks he saw on Harry's torso last night were only a fragment of what his pup had gone through? That thought was enough for him to lose his appetite.

"Pup", he began once both of them were done eating, "let's go up to your room. I need to talk to you. I promise you that you're not in trouble." He added the last sentence on seeing Harry's fearful expression. The two of them headed upstairs, Harry was trembling slightly.

"Ok now, I need you to take your shirt off." Harry blanched at this sentence, fear prominent on his small face. "I'm s-sorry-"

Sirius cut off all attempts to apologise by pulling Harry into his arms. His godson's form was extremely stiff and his eyes were refusing to meet his godfather's. "Harry James, do not apologise. You have nothing to be sorry for. I promised you that I'd never hurt you and I still stand by what I said." He rubbed the trembling boy's back until he felt Harry relax. "Pup, I need to see what your aunt and uncle did to you so that I may help. Do you trust me?" Sirius asked, carding his fingers through Harry's hair. Harry nodded slowly after what seemed like forever and Sirius couldn't help but smile widely. Harry trusted him!

"Alright then. Arms up." He instructed and Harry obeyed, fear not leaving his face. Sirius gently grabbed the hem of Harry's shirt and tugged it over the boy's head. The concerned godfather stifled a gasp when he saw the condition of Harry's upper half. They were covered with faded scars, some welts that looked like they'd never heal, and so many buckle marks. He took hold of Harry's waist and slowly turned him around and was horrified to see that even his back was in the same condition. His look of horror morphed into one of disgust when he thought about the pathetic muggles who had done this to his beloved godson.

Harry saw the look of disgust on his godfather's face and mistook it as disgust towards himself. This was it. The moment Sirius would come to know about his weakness and inability to stand up to his muggle uncle. He would be thrown out now. But that thought wasn't given further impetus as Sirius pulled Harry into a fierce hug. "I'm so sorry pup. I'm so sorry."

Harry was shocked on hearing his godfather apologise. He had expected Sirius to turn him away and yet here he was, hugging Harry tightly. "W-why are y-you s-sorry?" He asked incredulously. He felt Sirius's arms tighten around him and didn't push the matter any further. Instead, he just relaxed against the arms that were holding him.

"What they did to you was wrong. I need you to believe me when I tell you that I'll never send you back. You need to believe me when I say that I'll never hurt you. Please trust me pup."

Two Weeks Later
Over the next two weeks, Harry came out of his shell miraculously quick. He was still nowhere close to becoming a mischief maker like his father but he talked a lot more now and even complained about things like his bedtime. He had completely stopped flinching whenever Sirius embraced him, instead he leant into the comforting touch.

Life at Black Manor was much more relaxed now, since Harry was no longer that boy who was terrified of his godfather. He was much more comfortable around Sirius despite the tiny bit of shyness that remained. The aforementioned boy was currently sleeping in his room or rather trying to not wake up.