The Calm before the Storm

20 chapters. Wow. I’ve shocked my self. Well not enough to not give you a chapter. Here you go enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter

“Talking”
#Sirius’s Mother’s portrait#

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Chapter 20 - Goodbye Mrs. Black

As soon as they arrived everyone but Tempest started to tiptoe around trying not to wake Sirius’s mothers portrait.

“What’re you guys skulking around for?” Tempest asked as she walked past them shaking her head.

As she walked out into the hall a vase was suddenly flung at her. Followed by another and another. Tempest quickly caught them but when a fourth was thrown at her she missed and dropped all four with a tremendous crash.

#“Filth, scum, half-breeds, blood traitors begone, remove yourselves from the house of my fathers,”#

The familiar screech had Harry and Remus covering their ears, Severus was sneering more than usual and Sirius was absolutely livid.

“Ahh I see why now,” Tempest said grimacing, “Who or what is it and how do you shut it up?”
“That would be your grandmother’s portrait and we’ll only be able to shut her up for awhile,” Sirius seethed as he stormed out to his mother’s portrait.

Tempest followed close behind instantly intrigued.
She’d never known much about her father’s side of the family, of course she’d heard rumours, but every time she’d gone to research the Black family name someone distracted her or changed the topic.
When her father suddenly stopped at a wall all she could see was the top of a portrait and that her father was trying to pull some moth-eaten curtains closed.
Stepping to the side to get a better look at who was insulting everyone, she was frustrated to find that her father moved with her to block her view.
Darting back the other way she growled when her father kept himself between her and the portrait.
Eyes scrunching closed she moved as if to dart to the right but immediately dropped to her knees and crawled between her father’s legs but Sirius was to quick for her and trapped her before bending down and lifting her up, spinning her so she couldn’t see the portrait.

“I have the right to see that portrait, she is my grandmother. What are you hiding? Father put me down. Let me see,” Tempest yelled angrily as she wiggled and struggled.
“No. I wont let you be tainted by that,” Sirius growled as he held on tight and moved away trying to get her as far away as he could.

#“Blood traitor, scum, abomination, atrocity, foul turncoat. You treacherous abhorrence. You had a child. What kind of filthy mudblood did you knock up?”#

“Now wait just one second. How dare you,” Tempest growled and biting down on Sirius’s hand she was able to get free, she walked back to the portrait and glared at the old hag sitting there, “You will take that back. How dare you insult my parents you contemptible witch. If there’s anything foul and loathsome here it’s you. You should be proud to have a son like father.”

#“Ah, you’re like your father, just as vile and foul and look, I’d recognise those eyes anywhere. You’re the spawn of my son and that bastard werewolf.”#

“You take back every foul thing you’ve said about father and papa,” Tempest growled, “Do it now or else.”

#“Or else what. There’s nothing you can do you filthy waste of air.”#

“I can remove you from that wall and we‘d all be rid of you permanently,” Tempest replied smirking.

#“You lie.”#

“I do not. The library within Crystal City have many books, especially ones on counterspells. I’d have you off that wall within a second. So take it all back or you burn,” Tempest snarled.

#“I do not bow to repulsive, vile creatures such as yourself.”#

“You’re the repulsive one around here,” Tempest replied spine-chillingly, “Goodbye Grandmother. It wasn‘t a pleasure meeting you.”

Holding up her hand, palm facing the portrait she smirked.

“Disimpegnarsi. Bruciatura”

The audience that had collected behind watched as the portrait was ripped from the wall with a sickening squelching noise before bursting in to blue and green flames.
The screeching as the portrait burned was agonizing. Finally it stopped and all that was left was a pile of acrid smelling ashes.
Tempest stood there looking completely smug while the group behind her could only blink in shock.

“So that was Grandmother? Pretty pathetic if you ask me,” Tempest said before she started to walk away, “So this is where you grew up. A bit dreary and depressing isn’t it. No wonder you left but that’s alright. It may take a bit of work but not to worry. Come on Harry let’s go choose rooms. I’ll help you change the colours if you want.”
“Right behind you,” Harry said grinning.

Breaking into a run he caught up with Tempest half way up the stairs.

“They’re going to stand there for hours until it sinks in aren’t they?” Tempest asked Harry as they looked in room after room.
“Probably,” Harry said chuckling at the image of Sirius, Remus and Severus staring opened mouth at where the portrait once hang, “You know you can be quite scary sometimes.”

Tempest just smirked in reply and continued to search the house.
As they entered one of the rooms Tempest gave a squeak.

“This ones mine,” Tempest said running in and jumping on the bed.

A huge cloud of dust sprung up from the mattress making Tempest disappear for a few seconds before settling and making her sneeze three times in succession, causing the dust once again rise.

“Alright. I’ll take the one across the hall,” Harry said as he exited.

Walking across the hall he opened the door.
The room was almost identical to Tempest’s. There was a queen-sized four-poster bed, two wardrobes, a dressing table two bookshelves and a desk.
There was also a fireplace and a window seat on the far wall.
Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out his trunk and put it on the floor. Unshrinking it he pushed it to the end of the bed before standing back and surveying the room properly.
It was decorated in browns and tans, the tattered rug in front of the fireplace looked liked it would crumble into pieces if you touched it, it was the same as the curtains.

“So what colour scheme do you want?” Tempest asked walking into the room and stretching her fingers.
“I don’t know,” Harry replied pulling out the desk chair and sitting down, “What’s yours going to be?”
“Blacks, purples and gold,” Tempest replied looking around the room, yelping when she opened the closest and a doxy came out.

After chasing and removing the doxy, Tempest giving it a good thrashing for scaring the life out of her, Harry pondered.

“How about greens, silvers and blues? What do you think?” Harry asked.
Tempest bit her bottom lip then smiled, “I think it’d look brilliant and I’m sure if Draco sees it he’ll love it also.”

Harry blushed but there was a slight look of confusion on his face.

“Green and Silver are Slytherin colours Harry,” Tempest reminded him.
“They are too,” Harry said grinning.

Tempest and Harry spent a couple of hours changing the rooms to how they wanted them.
Using restorative spells, they brought everything back to its former glory before using colour changing spells until they felt it was just right.

“There, all done,” Tempest said then rubbing her hands together she went on, “We have time for two more rooms before it’ll be dinner time. Any idea which ones we should do?”

Harry immediately recalled the drawing room and the tapestry it held.

“Yes the drawing room. We tried cleaning it up before but I’m sure it could use your touch,” Harry replied.
“Then lead the way my brother in arms. We shall fight dirt and get rid of grime, remodelling the rooms to a splendid glory that will have the world begging us for tips,” Tempest said dramatically as she hooked her arm in his.
“Let’s go forth then and make this house a better living space,” Harry said grinning and leading Tempest in the direction that he remembered the drawing room was.

When they reached it Harry carefully opened the door before stepping in and holding it open for Tempest.

“Wow this place does need some work and is that…it is, it’s the Black family line,” Tempest cried as she ran forward.

Looking it over she narrowed her eyes as she saw the scorch marks.

“Let me guess. Grandmother?” Tempest asked looking at Harry.
“Yeah. Sirius told me that anyone who his mother didn’t feel was fit to be on there she blasted them off. I think he wants it removed,” Harry replied.
“No way. She may have been awful but she’s still family,” Tempest replied as she started tracing some of the gold lines.
“This coming from the person that set her grandmother’s portrait on fire,” Harry said chuckling.
“Yes well, that’s different,” Tempest replied, “This doesn’t talk, I mean scream. Pass me that letter opener.”

Harry did as he was told and watched as Tempest cut her finger with it then touched the bleeding finger to the bottom of the tapestry.

“Col mio sangue, restaurare la registrazione di lei, gli antenati del mio passato,” Tempest said.

Fascinated Harry watched as the scorch marks disappeared and the names reappeared on it. The tapestry also looked like it was brand new, the gold thread shimmering from the last bit of light that was streaming through the window.
Two more names also appeared on it. Remus’s sat beside Sirius’s, in the beautiful gold thread however no lines connected their names still there was a gold line coming from the centre of the pair and it lead straight down to Tempest’s name.

“We so have to get my parents married,” Tempest said candidly as she stood and admired her handy work.
Harry laughed, “Can we make Sirius wear the dress?”
“Not bloody likely,” came a voice from behind them.

They both jumped and swung around to see Sirius standing there. Remus stood in the doorway trying not to laugh while Severus stood beside Remus, sniggering.

“Remove it,” Sirius demanded.
“What? No,” Tempest replied, “It’s staying right there.”
“I said remove it,” Sirius growled.
“Now Sirius maybe you should…” Remus started but was interrupted.
“No Remus I want it gone. Now,” Sirius said sharply.
“Nope, nup, uh uh, not going to happen,” Tempest growled, “They may not have been the nicest people in the world but they are family. Why is it that you want to remove everything that reminds you of them?”
“Because they’re not worth my time,” Sirius spat, “Those despicable people I had to call family were a menace to this world and the sooner all evidence of them is removed the happier I and the whole world will be.”
“You sound just like your mother,” Tempest replied acidly.

The resounding slap as Sirius’s hand found Tempest’s cheek made everyone flinch. Harry could only look on in shock.
Tempest slowly raised her hand to her cheek not believing it had actually happened, feeling the heat from the skin on skin connection her eyes narrowed before she ran out of the room.

“What the hell was that for Sirius,” Remus yelled as he advanced on his lover, well right at that point in time, his soon to be ex-lover if he didn‘t explain his actions and later apologize for his stupidness.

Severus motioned for Harry to come over to the door so they could leave and the two could argue in peace.
“She deserved it. Did you hear what she said,” Sirius yelled.
“Yes I did and I agree with her,” Remus replied, upon seeing Sirius clench his fists Remus scoffed, “What are you going to hit me too?”
“Tell me this Remus why does she want to keep the bloody thing. Why?” Sirius growled.
“Because it’s your history, it made you who you are and her who she is, the good and the bad. It represents you and your side of the family. Something she‘s been denied for almost her entire life,” Harry replied softly, “I know that when Tempest showed me my family history I was so excited. I‘d finally been able to see and know who my ancestors were. Where I‘d come from and I can only guess that she feels the same.”

Harry looked at Sirius and smiled softly before Severus put a hand on his shoulder and led him away.
Sirius just stood there in shock before collapsing to his knees.

“What have I done,” Sirius whispered.
“Something stupid,” Remus growled, “Now go fix it.”

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Harry sat on the bed holding his sobbing godsister.
After Severus had led him away from the drawing room he’d told the Slytherin he was going to check on his godsister and make sure she was alright.
He’d found her in her room, on her bed sobbing into the pillows and holding her cheek. Pulling her into his arms he’d proceeded to soothe her and after awhile her sobs had lessened.

“Why’d he do it Harry?” Tempest asked in a whisper her sobs subsiding.
“It’s not really for me to explain Tempest,” Harry replied running a hand soothingly through her hair, “But I know that he didn’t mean to hit you. His anger got out of control. I’m sure you know what that’s like?”

Tempest nodded against his chest.
Of course she knew what it was like, knowing how easy it was to loose her temper. She was Sirius’s daughter after all. She almost considered it a genetic disease.

“It hurt Harry,” Tempest whispered her body shuddering and her eyes welling up with tears again, “Not the actual hit itself but that he actually hit me.”
“I know Temp,” Harry soothed, “I know.”

Tempest let a tear or two fall before burying her face back in Harry’s chest and trying to forget.
Even the knock at the door didn’t budge her from her position.
Harry looked up to see the door open and Sirius poke his head round it.
Seeing Harry he gave him a sheepish look before walking further in and closing the door behind him.

“Uh Harry do you think I could talk to my cub alone for a bit?” Sirius asked and shifted from foot to foot feeling guilty about his earlier actions.
“Sure,” Harry replied waiting for Tempest to move before getting up.
“Thanks pup,” Sirius said.

Giving her a hug and then hugging his godfather on the way out Harry wandered downstairs to the kitchen. He found Remus and Severus at the dining table. Severus had several books spread out around him and was quietly searching through them, occasionally stopping to write something down on a piece of parchment beside him.
Harry opened his mouth to ask what he was doing but Remus interrupted.

“Don’t even ask Harry, he’s refusing to tell,” Remus said coolly, calmly taking a sip from the cup of tea in his hands.

Harry felt sorry for the poor teacup. Remus’s cool and calm exterior was being undermined by the death grip he had on the cup.

“Ignore the werewolf he’s just annoyed that I won’t let him help,” Severus replied not even looking up from his work.

Harry chuckled and continued on to the kitchen only to find a very familiar house elf darting around it doing various things all at once.

“Hello Dobby is there anything I can do to help you?” Harry asked watching as the house elf jumped startled.
“Mister Harry Potter sir? Harry Potter wants to help Dobby? Dobby not worthy of Harry Potter’s concern,” Dobby said in his usual repetitive way, “There is nothing Harry Potter can do to help Dobby that he hasn’t already done. But thankyou for asking Dobby.”
“Alright Dobby, I’ll see you later okay,” Harry replied grinning at the always eager house elf.
“Sees you later Mister Harry Potter sirs,” Dobby replied and waved until Harry had left.

Harry walked back into the dining room shaking his head then stopped.

“Professor Snape may I ask you a question?” Harry asked looking at the working Slytherin.
“If you must,” Severus said looking up at the young Gryffindor.
“Tempest was laughing at you earlier. Why is that?” Harry asked.

Severus’s face immediately reddened.

“We’re not talking about it,” Severus grumbled and started shuffling papers around.
Harry blinked then whined, “But Professor please. I won’t tell, promise.”

Severus snapped his head up and looked at Harry. Slowly he raised an eyebrow as Harry pouted.

“It was nothing Potter so drop it,” Severus said, then went back to what he was doing.

Harry sat down in the chair beside Remus with a huff.

“It was a letter concerning Lucius. Are you happy now Potter?” Severus said with a sigh.
“It’s a start,” Harry replied cheekily.

Severus rolled his eyes and went back to his books.

“So what did it say?” Harry asked.
“None of your business,” Severus replied.
“He’s going to continue to pester you until you tell him and if he doesn’t get the answer from you he’ll just go to Tempest,” Remus replied simply.

Severus glared a both Gryffindors before sighing.

“It was from the Minister of Magic informing me that Lucius ‘has gone on heat and is demanding that I be brought to Azkaban immediately to deal with the problem‘. The Minister was nice enough to inform me that if Lucius continues to get worse I shall be summoned officially,” Severus explained.
“So?” Harry asked.
“Lucius will not be allowed out of the sight of the guards so you’d have too…,” Remus guessed before chuckling, “Ah I see.”
Harry looked thoughtful for a second before blushing, “Oh that’d be extremely embarrassing.”
“What’d be embarrassing?”

The three occupants at the table turned to see Sirius at the door with Tempest.

“None of your business,” Severus replied snidely before getting back to work.

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Harry burst out laughing as Sirius described one of the Marauder’s adventures to him. Harry sat beside his godfather on one of the couches positioned in front of the fireplace in the den. There was a big book spread open on their legs and Sirius was showing Harry the list of spells, curses and potions that the marauders had found helpful on their escapades. Every now and again Sirius would launch into a story of how they’d used a certain one.

“Shh,” Remus scolded the two laughing Gryffindors on the couch.

Remus sat in one of the chairs, which was also situated in front of the fireplace, reading a book. Curled up on the rug at his feet lay Tempest who was sleeping soundly, only occasionally letting out whimper and shifting slightly.
Sirius and Harry lowered their laughing and went back to what they were doing. They’d come into the den after dinner, Severus had accompanied them, that is until he was summoned by Voldermort and had had to leave quickly.
About half an hour later Harry drifted off to sleep on his godfather’s shoulder tired from the day. A small smile was spread across his face. He’d never been happier in his life.

*Draco stood before him standing straight and proud. Severus stood beside his godson in his death-eater robes.
“Since Lucius is unable to attend this most joyous occasion I feel that it is your job to fill in for him Severus, after all Draco is your godson,” the voice was cold and unrelenting.
“I am honoured my lord,” Severus replied.
“So Draco are you ready to step up and fulfil the path that your father has set out for you?”
“I’m afraid I cannot say that I am,” Draco replied a defiant look coming into his eyes.
“WHAT?!?!”

Anger flooded through him.
Severus looked slightly distressed and was darting glances back and forth and then looked around at the other robed figures.

“This is a great disappointment and I’m afraid that no-one refuses me and lives to tell about it.”
“Potter did!” Draco replied.

The anger swelled and consumed him drowning everything.

“CRUCIO,”

He watched as Draco fell to his knees, who bit his lip refusing to cry out but he didn’t last long. Draco’s screams soon filled the room, the death-eaters shifted watching the fiasco before them. One held Severus who was trying to get to Draco.
He lifted Crucio off the boy and cast a few other spells, one that cut the boy another that made him unable to breathe.
He was just about to cast Crucio again when Severus threw himself in front of the boy.

“You dare defy and betray me? Crucio!”

Severus fell to the floor but didn’t make a sound.
He watched as curses were cast upon the two by the other death-eaters. Suddenly he noticed Severus was crawling slowly towards Draco and as he reached the boy he picked him up and stood searching in his robe and grabbing at something.
He quickly sensed the port key.

“NO! Avada Kedav…”

But he was to late.*

Harry bolted awake almost knocking his godfather off the couch where he had been seated trying to awaken the his godson.

“Harry are you alright?” Sirius asked.
“Severus and Draco,” Harry said just as the two appeared in the den.
“Merlin,” Sirius breathed as he jumped up and lunged forward in time to catch and steady Severus as he crumpled.

Remus moved forward and tried to take Draco from his arms only to have Severus tighten his hold around the blonde.

“Severus let Remus take him. He needs help and Remus will look after him. You have my word,” Sirius said.

Severus loosened his grip and Remus took Draco from him. Harry followed Remus as he walked out of the room with Draco in his arms.
Severus looked up at Sirius in his half conscious state as the Gryffindor wound the Slytherin‘s arm around his neck. Then he looked and watched as Tempest did the same on his other side. Seeing that he was now safe he finally allowed himself to pass out.

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Yeah well what do you think. I have a few other stories in the works that I want to get out before I catch up with the times and start having everything correspond with HBP. I also may ask for your help and opinions on one particular one. Read and Review.