Harry Potter: Eclipse.-Chapter 74:

Harry snorted as he read the note and passed it to Sirius, who read it with a scowl. The animagus barely resisted his urge to rip the letter up bef ore Remus took it and read it himself.

"He really doesn't give up, does he?" Sirius said, standing and pacing slightly. He hadn't said anything but Harry could see he was worried; most likely about the trial and the influence Dumbledore had.

"Can you feel the magic on the paper?" Harry asked.

Sirius stilled and closed his eyes - Harry recognised it as him connecting to his own core. Unlike Harry, who could do it instinctively, Sirius had to concentrate and even then such sensitivity didn't always work. Remus, he noted, didn't attempt to sense it at all; Harry assumed the wolf knew he wouldn't have a chance at detecting the very subtle compulsion. Although a strong wizard, Harry would acknowledge that Sirius did have more latent magic to draw from in his core compared to Remus. Remus did, however, have an advantage with his wolf senses and stamina. Sirius took a few seconds before he let out a slight growl, sounding suspiciously like he did in his dog form. "It's got a compulsion on it. I can just about feel it when I'm concentrating my magic."

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Harry nodded. "Yes, I felt it as soon as I noted the envelope. It's subtle, but rather strong."

Remus placed the note down hesitantly. "Do you have any idea what the compulsion was for and if I'll be affected? I don't have rings like you two and I didn't even note the charm."

Harry double check the envelope with his magic, feeling the charm. "It's okay, it was aimed at only me. It was to make me agree with him, most likely with the suggestion about visiting my family and trusting him again."

Remus let out a relieved breath. That was his new fear - the fact he was susceptible to Dumbledore's compulsions and could therefore be used against Harry and Sirius was more terrifying than any full moon. Even his occlumency training, although not advanced, didn't help and his wolf, which usually hated being manipulated, didn't seem to help at all.

"Why?" Sirius asked. "What's his plan, his goal? Why doesn't he just leave you alone?"

Harry sighed. "I can't be sure." Sirius swore, making Remus glare. "Pads, not now. It's Harry's birthday and we are going to make it special."

Sirius nodded and let out a long breath. "I would just love to know what he's up to."

"We all wou—" Remus was cut off when Sirius suddenly jumped up and made a muffled noise, sounding distinctly like a curse word.

"What are you doing now?" the wolf asked in exasperation.

"I have an idea! I'm such an idiot - I had completely forgotten about him!" Sirius shouted, sounding like he was halfway up the stairs. Harry and Remus shared a look and followed the sounds of Sirius' footsteps. They found him on the 3rd floor, outside an office, talking to a portrait Harry had never really noticed. The family portraits had been frozen by the goblins and left that way. However, Harry soon realised why Sirius was so excited. In front of them was a portrait Harry recognised well: it was Phineas Nigellus Black.

"It's about bloody time, boy!" Phineas berated Sirius. "I've been trying to get your attention all week!"

Sirius mumbled an apology while Harry wondered how he had never noticed the painting - in this life or the last. He suspected Dumbledore had the paintings removed as most of them were thrown out.

"Hello again, sir," Harry said, drawing the attention to himself.

Phineas' painting turned and let out a huff of air. "You! I don't know whether to be proud of you or worried. You've got that fool of a man Dumbledore acting rather erratically," he said.

Remus seemed to suddenly recognise the painting and took a step forward, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"What's he doing?" Sirius asked.

"The coot is obsessed with the boy, always going on about him and his plans. He doesn't go into detail around us - I suspect he knows we hold no loyalty to him," Phineas said.

"You've heard nothing concrete?" Remus asked.

Phineas started at Remus with pursed lips before answering anyway, "No, not as such. He has mentioned a petition to have more Dark homes searched and getting Grimmauld on the list. Something about making sure something is found. And he has mumbled a few times about suitable Light families, such as the Weasleys."

Sirius and Harry both growled. The house, being as old as it was, did have a few Darker artefacts - and the books, well, Harry refused to be parted with them. He knew a lot of them were banned and even illegal, but magic shouldn't be sanctioned.

"I see, thank you," Sirius said.

"If you keep my portrait unblocked I will be happy to pass along anything I see or hear. Although he is paranoid, he does forget, and sometimes he seems to get caught up," Phineas said.

"Isn't your loyalty keyed to Hogwarts, though?" Remus asked, remembering something he had once read.

"Partly yes, that is true, but Dumbledore isn't Hogwarts. The school has my loyalty as well as my family. Sirius and young Harrison here are my family, my Heirs." "Thank you, sir," Harry said.

The portrait stared at Harry for a moment. "Have we met before? Or have you ever been alone in Dumbledore's office?" he asked.

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