Chapter 1: A Marauder's plan
Sirius Black was fed up. He was sick of being stuck in his disgusting old family home. He was sick of Dumbledore and Molly Weasley telling him to stay put and reminding him not to tell his godson anything that was going on. He was sick of the sight of Snivellus and his snide comments at meetings. Now he had a letter from his godson in his hand about how he had been attacked by a dementor and had used magic. The very thing his guard were supposed to stop. When Dung had shown up babbling about dementors, Dumbledore had been summoned immediately. Sirius had shown great restraint, in his own opinion, not to strangle the useless thief who had left his godson alone. The Order of the Phoenix were all sat around the kitchen table shouting at each other and trying to make plans to bring Harry to Grimmauld Place. He sighed and put his head in his hands. There was a loud bang and everybody fell silent.
"Now, please, we shall bring Mr Potter here but we need to prepare." Dumbledore's voice rang out over the room. Sirius stifled a snort. Harry was not Dumbledore's responsibility. He was his. He needed a plan. The rest of the room began discussing plans in a much more calm manner, except Remus Lupin. The werewolf was watching his best friend with concern. He had expected Sirius to be very vocal about the removal of his godson from the Dursley's house, but he had been silent so far other than threatening to kill Mundungus.
Finally the meeting broke up and Molly bustled out to calm down Ron and Hermione who had clearly received the same letter as Sirius had. No wonder they were frantic. Remus wandered over and dragged Sirius upstairs.
"What's with you?" Remus asked. "I thought you would be very loudly advocating Harry's removal?"
"It wouldn't make any difference. None of them listen to me. Even if I'm the only person who really has any right to decide Harry's future. I'm his godfather."
"I know Sirius, but until we get you cleared…"
"It doesn't matter. Everyone here knows I'm innocent and so in my own house I should have authority for my own godson." Sirius looked up furiously. Remus nodded and then caught the glint in his friend's eye. A glint he knew all too well.
"What are you planning?"
"You'll see. I think it's time for the return of Lord Black." Sirius smirked. Remus' mouth fell open.
"Your going to claim the ring?"
"Yeah. It's the only way I can get free. They will be unable to deny the request of Lord Black for a trial of a family member. They broke their own laws not giving me a trial."
"How do you propose to do this?"
"You're going to cover for me and I'm going to sneak into Diagon Alley. I have a bank to visit. Thankfully they don't care if I'm innocent or not they just care about gold." Remus nodded.
"I will be part of the guard to fetch Harry. I'll tell the others that I had to stun you to stop you coming with us and you can go then. We will be picking him up in two days."
"Two days? Why so long?"
"Because Mad-eye is in charge of the operation." Sirius rolled his eyes. Mad-eye was good at his job but far too paranoid, something that had only gotten worse in the last year. Although, Sirius supposed he did have a good reason for that. Being held prisoner in your own trunk for nine months would make anyone paranoid. He and Remus stayed up late into the night discussing options.
"You do realise, Moony, that by doing this we are going to be working against Dumbledore?" Sirius questioned his friend. He knew the depth of gratitude and loyalty the werewolf had towards the headmaster.
"I know. I don't much like it but I can't ignore what's best for Harry. I feel so awful that I trusted Dumbledore's word that he was safe and healthy that I never checked up on him. It's clear the Dursley's don't treat him too well given how desperate he was to come and live with you. I don't know, and I'm not sure I want to know, how bad his life is during the summer. And I simply can't agree with his decision to have Harry followed and not tell him, especially after what he endured in June."
"Me too Moony. I can't believe Dumbledore let him go through that and then shipped him off to the muggles without any form of comfort or helpful advice and now he is planning on ignoring Harry all year because of this connection."
"Harry is going to need to learn Occlumency, Sirius. You know if the connection gets worse Voldemort could plant fake visions in his head. Or Dumbledore will assign Snape to teach him and that is just an accident waiting to happen."
"Yes, well Snivelly shouldn't hold a grudge for something we did to him. Harry wasn't even thought of then." Sirius growled. He could understand the hatred towards himself, but to blame Harry for looking like someone he had never even known was too much. Sirius made a mental note to owl order some books on Occlumency for Harry. "You could teach him the basics over the rest of summer couldn't you, Moony?" Sirius dragged himself from his thoughts and turned to his best friend.
"Yes. If you order him some books, I will teach him at least some defense before he goes back to Hogwarts."
"You do that and I'm going to have to teach him the pureblood customs and laws. He will need all the advantages he can get during the trial. He needs some new robes as well, first impressions always count for something. Moony will you take him to Diagon Alley?"
"Sure. We shall give him a couple of days to settle in here and I'll take him the day before the trial. It'll help him take his mind of things."
"Take him down to the main Potter vault. If he claims the Head of House ring at Gringotts then he can access it." Sirius suggested. Remus nodded and then both men decided they should get some sleep. They had a lot of planning to do and a busy few days ahead.
Two days later Remus stood amongst the other members of the guard waiting to take off and head to pick up Harry.
"Is he a good enough flyer, Remus?" Mad-eye asked.
"The best." Remus replied proudly. Together they all set off and Remus had to hide a smile as he noticed a ripple in the air as they closed the door that meant Sirius had disillusioned himself and was headed to Diagon Alley. Remus flew next to Tonks and they chatted about which route Mad-eye would try to bring them back by. Knowing his paranoia he would want to backtrack a few times in case they were followed. About thirty minutes later they landed in a muggle suburb that looked incredibly well kept. The recent sunshine had left the grass wilting a little bit but everything was still very uniform. Tonks had sent them a letter about some made up competition to make sure the muggles would be out of the house. Quickly unlocking the door Remus moved inside and undid the disillusionment charm. As they all came in and closed the door there was a crash. Swivelling around, Remus saw Tonks had knocked a plate over and he rolled his eyes in fond amusement. Then there came the click of a lock being opened from upstairs. His wolf eyes saw movement in the shadows and suddenly Harry came into view at the top of the staircase.
"Lower your wand before you take someone's eye out." Moody growled at the shell shocked boy. Remus had to stifle a chuckle at the boy's expression.
"Professor Moody?" The hesitant reply came back. Moody snorted beside him.
"Didn't exactly get around to teaching much did I? Get down here so we can see you properly." Harry, however, did not lower his wand or move. Remus could tell Moody was impressed at the boy's hesitancy. Given his favourite phrase of 'Constant vigilance' he was glad Harry didn't immediately trust that they were friendly. Not that he could do much if they weren't considering there were nine of them to collect him. Time for some reassurance.
"It's ok Harry. We've come to get you out of here." Remus called out.
"Professor Lupin?" Harry's voice was now even more confused.
"Why are we all standing in the dark?" Tonks said, annoyed. She lit her wand and Remus finally got a good look at Harry. His heart sped up as anger pulsed through him. Harry was just as skinny as he had been at the age of thirteen which was a clear sign of malnourishment. Deep purple bags were under his eyes, almost black in colour, indicated the little sleep he must have been getting. The clothes he wore were several sizes too big with the occasional hole in the t-shirt. His hair was predictably messy just like his fathers. All in all he looked like hell and Remus was angry that Dumbledore insisted on sending Harry back here. He forced a smile onto his face as he looked at the son of his best friends.
"He looks just like I expected. Wotcher Harry." Tonks called out with a beaming smile.
"I see what you meant, Remus. He does look exactly like James." Kingsley smiled.
"Except the eyes. Lily's eyes." Doge wheezed.
"You sure it's him Lupin?" Moody growled. "Ask him something a death eater wouldn't know."
"What's your patronus, Harry?" Remus asked him.
"Er...a stag." Harry looked confused at the question.
"It's him Alastor." Harry made to put his wand away as he came down the stairs but Mad-eye, predictably, told him off which started an argument between him and Tonks who liked to provoke Mad-eye every chance she got. Remus took this as a chance to speak to Harry.
"How are you, really?"
"I'm fine." Harry replied, but Remus saw the haunted look in his eyes, behind the confusion.
"Sure, you are. We are here to take you back to headquarters. I'll explain everything then we get there." He added, spotting Harry opening his mouth to ask a question. "Sirius is waiting for you, he has a lot to talk to you about." Remus lowered his voice and made sure only Harry could hear him. He saw the boys eyes widen and then he nodded in understanding. Tonks then explained exactly why the Dursley's were gone and a smug grin flitted across Harry's face. She then went with him to pack his things and the others all turned to each other after Remus had introduced everyone.
"He's a lot smaller than James at that age." Hestia frowned. "He didn't look very healthy did he?"
"No, he's clearly not been sleeping either, it wouldn't surprise me if he had been having nightmares. Albus didn't let him see a mind healer about what he saw." Remus admitted.
"Shut up. Walls have ears you know," Alastor growled at them all. "We can discuss this in the meeting when we get back." Everyone nodded and fell silent waiting for the two to come back down. Eventually Harry emerged with Hedwig's cage and Tonks was carrying his trunk. They all put disillusionment charms on again, Mad-eye did Harry's before Remus could. Then they stood waiting for the signal. Once it came they all took off and Remus smiled as he caught the low whoop Harry let out at being free.
Tonks managed to prevent Alastor taking them via Greenland and soon they arrived on the miserable lawn in front of Sirius' house. Harry looked at the note Alastor gave him but then his eyes widened as the house made itself visible to him. They all made it inside where Molly Weasley met them and ushered them all to the kitchen. Remus listened as she told Harry were to go and then quickly made his way down to see if Sirius was back yet. He was and he was currently lounging in his chair at the table opposite Mundungus.
"Now that we are all here." Dumbledore called an end to the chatter. "Severus has some important news."
"The Dark Lord has stepped up his interest in the Department of Mysteries. It's all he dwells on at the moment."
"Which means we must be extra careful. If the connection grows Harry will also become curious. I must reiterate that it would be incredibly dangerous if the boy knew the truth." Dumbledore's eyes drifted to Sirius as he said this. "Everyone must be extra vigilant when on guard duty. Kingsley, I believe it's you tonight?" The dark skinned man nodded. The spent some more time looking at the lay out of the Ministry.
"Alas, I have not been able to secure a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year. Fudge has just this week passed a decree that means if the headmaster cannot find a teacher the Ministry can assign one instead. I believe Fudge means to use this year to spy on Hogwarts." There were gasps and groans of frustration around the table.
"Which means the kids will learn nothing. He won't want them learning anything about defensive or offensive magic in case you are building an army to take him on." Arthur Weasley pointed out.
"Indeed, I believe that to be the case." Dumbledore said gravely.
"But this will be their OWL year." Molly grumbled. "They need to pass their exams."
"And how to defend themselves. Voldemort is back." Sirius pointed out, smirking slightly when Snape flinched at the name.
"They are just children. They don't need to be involved in war. Passing their exams should be the biggest of their worries." Molly argued.
"But it isn't. Especially for Harry. He needs to be warned that Voldemort could use their connection. Ignoring him isn't going to help the matter." He directed this last comment at the headmaster.
"I believe it for the best Sirius." Albus responded.
"The way you believe leaving him at the Dursley's for the best. They neglect him at the very best, possibly abuse him." Sirius voice was rising.
"They are his family. They wouldn't do that. He is safest there."
"Safest from Voldemort? You said he was safe because of blood magic but Voldemort now has Harry's blood in his veins? Also, you suspect someone inside the Ministry of sending the Dementors after Harry, how did they know where to go? Dementors are good at tracking, but not that good, someone knew where to send them. Does that not mean someone high up in the Ministry could find his address? Or someone who pays to have the ear of the Minister like Lucius Malfoy? Not to mention the fact that he isn't emotionally or mentally safe there. You think he would be able to sit around and discuss what happened in June with them?"
"They are aware of magic." Dumbledore deflected.
"You bloody well will not. Harry hates it there!" Sirius retorted. "The night I first met him I asked if he wanted to come and live with me. An hour after he thought me a mass murderer that betrayed his parents. He said yes with no hesitation whatsoever. He is thin beyond belief and far smaller than he should be at this age. All the signs point to neglect. You are just too blind!"
"The blood wards…"
"Mean nothing if he does not consider the place home. He ran away at the start of his third year. If that doesn't indicate he hates the place, nothing does. Those wards function on so called love. There is no love for or from Harry in that house. He considers Hogwarts his home and that place somewhere he simply has to stay during the holidays." Dumbledore paled slightly. Maybe he should take another look at those wards. "Besides, no matter what protections you put on there, I doubt this place is any less safe for him. My father warded it to the hilt and it's now under the fidelius."
"We will not discuss this now." Dumbledore said firmly. "And you will not tell Harry more than he needs to know. Goodnight everyone." With that, the meeting broke up. Molly went to call the children and there was a loud crash, followed by Tonks cursing. Sirius groaned as the portrait of his mother began screeching. He dashed out of the room with Remus and between them they got the curtains closed. He turned round to see Harry standing on the stairs, mouth hanging open slightly. They exchanged a greeting and Sirius made a comment about how he would welcome a dementor attack. He saw Harry flinch and a frown of disapproval cross Remus' face. He did admit that was a tactless comment but he knew it was expected of him from most members of the Order. Since that afternoon, when he had claimed the Head of House ring he knew he would have to act as he was expected until he could get Harry alone. He had even ordered Kreacher to clean out Regulus' old room so Harry had somewhere to stay.
As they sat down at the table, Tonks tripped and knocked a candle over on the Ministry floor plans and set them on fire. Bill was able to repair the mess and get rid of the plans, but not before Sirius caught Harry looking curiously. It was also obvious something had happened upstairs because Ron and Hermione were looking at Harry somewhat nervously as if they expected him to explode. He must have given them a talking to about the lack of news over the summer. The pair of them followed Dumbledore's request to the letter and had sent nothing but comments about how busy there were together which he knew would draw Harry's ire. His own letters had been rubbish too but he was planning on rectifying his mistake. Everyone sat down to a pleasant dinner before Sirius decided he was a little bored.
"So." He announced loudly. "I'm surprised at you Harry, I'd have thought the first thing you did would be to ask questions." The room went deadly silent. Sirius noted, amused, the disapproving look on Molly's face.
"I did. I asked Ron and Hermione but they said they are too young…"
"They are." Molly interrupted.
"They don't need to be in the Order to ask simple questions." Sirius retorted. "Harry has been stuck with muggles for a month."
"Hang on, how come Harry gets his questions answered and we've been told nothing." Fred burst out angrily. Sirius felt a surge of pity for them. He would have hated Molly for a mother. Better than his own though, he supposed.
"Harry's not even of age!" George growled.
"Sorry lads. But your parents have the final say over what you know, Harry, however, is my responsibility."
"It's not down to you to decide what's good for Harry." Molly burst out. "You haven't already forgotten what Dumbledore said?"
"Which bit?" Sirius asked, trying to keep his voice polite and probably failing.
"The bit about telling Harry, more than he needs to know." Sirius spotted an angry frown cross his godson's face at these words.
"I don't plan on telling him more than he needs to know." Sirius replied, knowing perfectly well his idea of 'needs to know' was vastly different to Molly's. "He's not a child."
"He's not an adult either. He isn't James!" Remus' eyes widened. That was an incredibly low blow, even for Molly. Sirius noted Harry flinch and then a stubborn expression flashed across his face. The flinch worried him, Harry didn't really believe that Sirius thought that. Did he?
"I know perfectly well who he is, Molly." His voice was dangerous now.
"I don't think you do. You think you've got your best friend back."
"What's wrong with that?" Harry spoke up for the first time. Sirius turned to him and felt his heart break slightly.
"What's wrong is that you are most certainly not your father Harry. I have never thought of you as him despite how much you look alike, you actually have more of Lily's personality in you." Sirius told him gently.
"I do?" Harry looked at him, overly eager for these small details of his parents.
"Yes, but you are not your father. I'm your godfather and you aren't my best friend that helped me terrorise Hogwarts. You've seen and dealt with much more than your father had at your age and are so much more mature it's unbelievable."
"And you are still as school, meaning the adults responsible for you…" Molly tried again.
"Meaning I'm an irresponsible godfather?" Sirius glared.
"You've been known to act rashly. It's been hard for you to take care of Harry while you were in Azkaban." There was a sharp intake of breath, Harry's loudest of all. This ignited the remaining part of Sirius' temper. She had no right.
"I will remind you just once Molly, that this is my house. Harry is my godson. I, and only I, have the right to tell him what to do and to decide what to tell him. You may have looked after him for a couple of weeks over the summers but just because he is the best friend of your son does not give you any parental power over him. You have no right to bring up my time in Azkaban. No right at all. You know nothing of what I went through that night. I will only give you one more warning before you are unwelcome in my house." Sirius' voice was deadly quiet.
"Sirius enough. Molly, you are not the only person in this place that cares for Harry. Sirius is right, he has legal guardianship over Harry and therefore can decide what to tell him. Dumbledore may be the leader of the light but he is only Harry's headmaster. Nothing more. He has no reason to tell Sirius to keep Harry in the dark. Now, I agree he is too young to join the Order, therefore we cannot give him private Order information but we can give him a basic idea. Better he hear it from us rather than a garbled version from others." Remus suddenly stood up and spoke in a loud clear voice. "Harry is also old enough to decide for himself."
"I want to know." Harry spoke up immediately, his eyes wide and focused completely on Sirius.
"Fine. The rest of you up to bed. Now!" Molly scowled.
"We're of age!" Fred and George protested together.
"The boys are right, Molly." Arthur spoke up for the first time. "They can't join the Order until they leave school, but if Harry is going to get the basic idea, so should they."
"Fine. Ron, Hermione, Ginny up to bed now."
"What!? Why can't we stay? Harry will just tell us anyway." Ron protested, then shot a look at his best friend as if not actually sure he would. That was interesting.
"Maybe you should see how you like being kept in the dark." Harry bit out quietly. He was clearly still furious about the lack of news over the summer. Sirius studied his godson intently. He knew this vicious behaviour was not normal for the boy but wasn't about to interfere.
"Harry!" Hermione's eyes were welling up with tears. "Come on Ron, of course he will tell us later. Give him time to calm down." Ron looked furious but allowed his mother to usher them upstairs, Ginny still protesting loudly. Everybody was now watching Harry carefully but Sirius was sure only he noticed the flash of anger that was in Harry's eyes for a split second when Hermione asserted she was sure Harry would tell them later. Maybe the rift was bigger than he suspected.
"So, what do you want to know?" He asked Harry. A torrent of questions burst from the boys lips that had him trying to stifle a smile. They had a brief conversation but Sirius didn't tell him about the prophecy just yet. He knew the others wouldn't let him and he was proven right when Molly came back into the room and told him they had said enough.
"I agree. That's enough." Remus said with a conspiratory look at his best friend. They both knew Sirius was going to be telling Harry everything as soon as they were alone.
"Right, you know where you're sleeping Harry. Be quiet I expect Ron is asleep." Sirius mentally snorted but stood up.
"Actually, Harry isn't sharing with Ron. I'll take Harry to his room, Molly." Harry stood up and Sirius took him by the shoulder and led him from the room.