Story: Moira
Chapter Two: Unsaid Secrets

The fire crackled in the makeshift fireplace of the mediocre-sized dorm. The sound of rummaging through things was the only other sound heard in the room besides that of the flame's voice.

"Are you listening or not?" Ron's voice broke the apparent silence. "What are you even looking for?"

"I am all ears, Ron," Harry replied, still rummaging through his truck and completely ignoring Ron's second question.

"Well then, you are entering your name in the tournament, yes?" Ron asked. Draco rolled his grey eyes.

"I will not."

"He's been asking the same question for the past twenty minutes, Harry! Just say yes!" Draco tried. Harry turned around and met their gazes with his dark emerald orbs. "Better get those stupid glasses on. You look intimidating, mate."

"You know I don't need them. They make ugly marks on my face," Harry replied, turning back to his trunk. He had never needed the round glasses he always wore. He had long since found a spell to repair his dull eyesight. He only wore them because those who knew him told him he looked frightening otherwise.

"Now, dear ol' Harry. Please say yes to your brother?" Ron pleaded with puppy dog eyes. Harry snorted and never met Ron's eyes.

"Do I look like a kid to you?"

"Not sure. . .?"

"I don't want eternal glory, Ron! Okay?" Harry snapped. "It's a trouble as it is, what with all that Sirius did!"

"Don't blame my dad, Harry! He did what he thought was the best," Ron replied, a frown creasing his face. Harry chose not to respond to that. Ron was always overprotective of his dad and he certainly did not want to get into a fight with Ron.

"Let's see," Harry finally agreed, albeit partially. Draco and Ron exchanged joyful smiles before Draco spoke up again.

"So are you guys going back to your house?"

"I wish I didn't have to," Harry retorted and slumped down on his bed with something shiny in his hand.

"C'mon, Harry. You know dad misses the ol' you!" Ron reasoned.

"I'm not the old Harry now." His reply came out as harsh, but he had no other way to put it. Ron sighed deeply.

"I wish I could turn back time and right all the misunderstandings in your family," Draco sighed. Ron gave him a small smile in gratitude. However, Harry just looked at the shiny metal in his palm. Its dull light in the dim atmosphere reflected in his dark eyes, which held pain and misery - two emotions no one knew that he was experiencing. Cold, dark and silent – that was how he was known by the world. This new Harry would never see change, or so he thought.

—————–——————

Harry and Ron arrived exactly at ten to five and Sirius was widely opening his arms to greet them at his house, #7, Blackthorn Manor. Ron immediately pounced on his father, just like a dog would do when it sees its master after a long time. Sirius hugged back with equal vigor, a grin spread across his face.

"Dad! What's for –" Ron started but was interrupted by Sirius.

"Whatever you want to eat for the night, pup. Do you want to go to some fancy restaurant?" Sirius asked, raising his eyebrows and wrapping an arm around Ron's shoulder.

"I'll be satisfied with Uncle Regulus's cooking, dad. Haven't had the home food in weeks!" Ron exclaimed. Sirius smiled at him then opened his arms to Harry.

"Welcome back, kid," he offered. Harry, however, extended his hand for a shake. Sirius looked slightly put out by this but nevertheless returned the gesture with a firm hand. Ron glared at his best mate for upsetting his dad.

"Harry, literally?"

"It's alright, Ron. And Harry, if you please, I have this thing which I want to get done and over with," Sirius said, looking Harry in the eye. Harry nodded. "Let's go to the drawing room. Ron, if you excuse us for a little."

"Alright, dad," saying so, Ron left for his bedroom.

Sirius led the way through the lamp-lit hallway and up the stony staircase to the drawing room on the first floor landing. He opened the mahogany door and ushered Harry inside, then firmly locked the door and, with a wave of his wand, set up privacy charms.

Harry stood leaning against the table, arms crossed. His eyes told Sirius to start and his face was expressionless.

Ever since he had found out that Sirius, fearing for his and Harry's life, had signed a blood pact with Voldemort to let Harry be taught Dark Arts, their exchanges were usually sober and formal. His master's words rang in his voice each time he was met with meeting his godfather or spending time with him.

"Don't let the love you harbor for others ruin your life. Love is a waste of time."

"Harry, you are of age and I presume you are more mature than you were when you were fourteen," Sirius started. Harry snorted. "I am truly guilt-ridden for my mistake made sixteen years ago, kid. Will you continue to treat me like this until I die?"

"Answer my questions." It was the only reply. Sirius sighed, then nodded.

"As best as I can."

"Who is Ron's mother?"

"I–erm. . ."

"He is adopted, isn't he?"

Sirius took a deep breath then said, "He is."

Harry turned away, struggling to keep his emotions at bay. "Why?" People who did not know him personally would have thought he was using the wrong adverb, but Sirius knew better.

"I don't know the complete story. Regulus never told me. As far as I eavesdropped, Ron's blood sister was the one who Voldemort needed. The assigned death eaters mistook him for the new baby and grabbed him and fled. When they got to know they had kidnapped the wrong baby, they. . ." Sirius looked down, unable to continue. Harry sighed then walked forward and put a comforting hand on his godfather's shoulder. He was met with a teary smile. "They left him in an alley, all alone. . . Regulus arrived at the spot to monitor the plan but found a crying baby wrapped in a blue towel which read his name as 'Ronald'. He wouldn't stop crying until I lifted him, after the. . . you know, signing of the blood pact."

It took a moment for the new information to sink in. When it finally did, Harry felt worse for treating Ron badly these past years.

His eyes turned steely as he realized that Fate had played even worser games with his pseudo-brother than him. His blood parents lost a son, his siblings a brother. Yet, Ron was happily ignorant of his past and just continued with his life. Harry could not imagine how Ron would react to this news if he were to hear it.

"You have to tell him."

"What?"

"You have to tell him that he is not a blood descendant of the Black family," Harry replied, taking his previous position by the table. Sirius frowned.

"I don't know if he would take it well."

"That's what you thought for me."

"And look how our relationship changed. I'm sorry, kid, but I don't –"

"That's called betrayal, Sirius. The choice is yours," with that said, Harry lifted the privacy charms and walked out of the room, leaving Sirius to his thoughts.

"Maybe you are right, kid. You always are. I don't want secrets to ruin my relationship with Ron as it did with us. . ."

Unbeknownst to him, Harry had heard the confession. His face wore a small smile as he walked down the stairs to greet his uncle, Regulus.

There goes the second chapter. Does anyone know about the four houses in Durmstrang? I looked it up on the internet but found various names and logos which I think aren't canon. If I'm unclear, I'll not mention the houses.

What are your thoughts about this chapter? Drop them in the comments section! Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x