Genre: Alternative Universe

Rating: M (violence, nudity, love scenes, torment, dark references)

Ships: Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione, Canon Wizard/OC

Disclaimer: This fanfic was written prior to the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. As such, it does not take the events of Book Six into consideration.

Kia, Glynna, Marsha, Jamie, Judy, and any other spells, objects, or people that never before appeared in the Harry Potter series are my own creations. The lyrics to "Black Dog," "Magic Bus," "Candles in the Rain," and "Leather and Lace" were written by Led Zeppelin, The Who, Melanie Safka, and Stevie Nicks, respectively. "The Starry Asylum" was written by Mendyl Sharden. The rest belong to J.K. Rowling and/or Warner Brothers.

Dedication: Written by a Sirius fan, for Sirius fans

Chapter 7: Umbridge's Obsession

With a little coaxing, Harry relented and allowed Kia to treat his hand, although he insisted that everyone keep the truth about his injury a secret from Mrs. Weasley.

"Don't worry. If she asks, we'll tell her that you hurt it at St. Mungo's," Kia assured him, glancing at the others, who all nodded in agreement. "I certainly don't see any point in worrying her any more than she is already. But don't ever let me hear of you neglecting something like this again, Harry. You're lucky you didn't get blood poisoning!"

Harry closed his eyes as Kia immersed his hand in a bowl of Essence of Murtlap, grateful for the relief from the pain. He actually dozed for a few minutes while Kia dried his hand, applied salve to the wound, and bandaged it with fresh gauze, jolting awake when she ruffled his hair.

"There now," she smiled warmly. "Tomorrow it will be fine."

Harry's eyelids drooped again as he stretched out in his chair and rested his feet on the ottoman. He had to admit that it was nice to be fussed over. He only wished that Sirius would heal as quickly.

In a little while, Fred and George returned, carrying two suitcases and a cat carrier. Kia flung open the gated door and cried with joy at the sight of her mottled gray and her brown tabby, both of whom were short haired and more than a little tubby.

"Tuthmosis! Hatchepsut!" she said, hugging each of them in turn.

"I'll put them in my room," Hermione offered. "Poor Crookshanks could probably use the company."

After Hermione left the room, a cat under each arm, Fred and George turned to Kia.

"Well, Milady," Fred began, "you'll be pleased to know that we not only got all of your clothes in these two suitcases, but all of your knickknacks as well."

"Nearly forgot this, though," added George, handing Kia a framed photograph. "We grabbed it on the way out the door."

Harry couldn't see the picture, but gathered from Kia's expression that she was relieved that they had remembered it. "Thanks," she smiled gratefully, tears misting in her eyes.

"You're more than welcome," said Fred, bowing.

"Now the Department of Magical Law Enforcement can't get their hands on it," said George.

"The…Department of Magical Law Enforcement?" Kia repeated warily, swallowing hard.

"Yeah. Hate to break it to you, but we saw a couple of the goons walking up the steps to your building..."

"Just as we were pulling away from the curb."

"Oh no," Kia said, paling. "I should have realized it would only be a matter of time! And my babies…I never would have forgiven myself…" Kia then turned to Remus. "There isn't any way they could find us, is there?"

"None," Remus replied calmly. "We've gone over this house with a fine tooth comb over the past month, and the only way anyone can gain entry here is through Dumbledore. You're safe, Kia. We're safe. All of us. So try not to worry."

Kia sighed with relief as Hermione came back into the room. Harry only hoped that Remus was right.

Mrs. Weasley returned from her shopping trip shortly before six. She brought Kia the Essence of Murtlap she requested, plus several bags of clothing for Sirius.

"Thanks," Kia said, hugging Mrs. Weasley. "Now, I need to ask all of you to leave for a few hours, including you and Remus, Harry. You may come back around nine, but right now I want Sirius to rest."

"Rest?" Ron said. "Blimey, seems like all he does is rest."

"It might appear that way to you, Ron, but being bounced around in the van was probably very exhausting for him," Hermione explained. Then she turned to Kia. "Do you need me for anything?"

"Not right now," Kia replied. "Although I would appreciate it if you will tell everyone in the house to keep the noise level down."

Remus retired to his room for a nap, and Harry and the others went downstairs to wait for dinner. As Harry reached the landing, Ginny stormed into the house, slamming the door behind her.

"IF I EVER SEE DEAN THOMAS AGAIN, IT WILL BE TOO SOON!" she screeched.

"Shhh," Hermione admonished. "Sirius is upstairs resting and Kia wants to keep the house quiet!"

"Sirius?" said Ginny, drawing her brows together. "What is he doing...oh, hello Harry. When did you get here?"

"Earlier this afternoon," Harry replied. "And this is his house, remember?"

"Well, yes, but that isn't what I meant," replied Ginny. "Is he doing better finally? And did he ever wake up?"

"Unfortunately, no, to both questions," replied Harry.

"Well, why isn't he still at St. Mungo's?" Ginny wondered. "Surely they can take better care of him there than here?"

"Long story," Harry said, then wearily began relating the events of the morning and afternoon.

"That's terrible!" Ginny cried, tears springing into her eyes. "As if the poor man hasn't been through enough!"

"Why didn't you say something in the van?" Ron gasped.

"Didn't you notice, Ron, that Remus and Kia deliberately steered the conversation away from the subject, for fear it might cause Sirius distress?" answered Hermione.

"Blimey, how on Earth could it distress him?" Ron wondered. "He's out cold!"

"To the casual observer, that would seem the case," Hermione explained. "But what many people don't realize is that when someone is out like that, they can sometimes still hear and understand the people around them. They're just unable to respond."

"I'd never heard that one before," said Ron. "Probably because I'd never known anyone in a coma."

"You know me!" said Hermione. "I was in a coma our second year! Remember?"

"You weren't in a coma! You were petrified!" Ron pointed out.

"Same difference!" Hermione fired back.

"Not really," said Ron. "Gee, a fine healer you'll make!"

Harry could tell that Ron had touched a nerve, although Hermione tried not to show it. "I suppose I should start looking into other careers, anyway," she sighed. "I won't ever step into St. Mungo's again, not as long as Umbridge is there!"

"Um, Hermione...what if you get sick?" Ron ventured.

"Then I'll die, and gladly," Hermione said emphatically. "I'd rather die of the most horrible disease ever known to wizardkind than be within a hundred miles of that horrid woman!"

"You're already within a hundred miles of her," Ron reminded her.

Mrs. Weasley hurried into the living room with a plate of food before Hermione got a chance to think up a clever retort. "Oh, hello Ginny Dear. I thought you were supposed to be spending the week with Dean and his parents."

"I was. But Dean and I had a huge fight, and now I'm home!"

"A fight?" asked Harry. "What over?"

"I don't want to talk about it," stated Ginny firmly. "He's just...he's just rude, that's all."

"Very well, dear," said Mrs. Weasley absently. "Now, would you be an angel and take this plate up to Kia?"

"Just knock and leave it outside the door," Hermione said as the younger girl headed upstairs. "She doesn't want to be disturbed."

Mr. Weasley came home from work shortly thereafter, and Mrs. Weasley called everyone to tea. At first, Harry didn't feel very hungry, but the moment he smelled Mrs. Weasley's stroganoff and fresh homemade bread, his appetite returned. Eagerly, he filled his plate and tucked in, grateful to have something to eat besides tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

"Any news on Kingsley?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes, as a matter-of-fact, there is," said Mr. Weasley. "He was released around two o'clock, because the Ministry didn't feel they had enough evidence to hold him.

At least that's what I was told. But you'll never guess who showed up afterwards."

"Who?" said Mrs. Weasley. "Gilderoy Lockhart?"

"No," said Mr. Weasley. "Dolores Umbridge. Looked really frightful, she did, like she'd been rolling around in a pile of dung. Smelled like it, too, come to think of it."

"Did she now?" quipped Fred, winking at Harry.

"Ah, but hasn't she always?" added George.

"Strange," Mr. Weasley continued, riveting his eyes towards Harry. "She was under the ridiculous impression that you kidnapped Sirius Black from St. Mungo's this afternoon and drove off with him in an orange and purple van!"

"An orange and purple van?" repeated Fred.

"Preposterous!" said George.

"Who in their right minds would own an ugly piece of work like that?" said Fred.

"What...exactly happened?" Harry ventured.

"Well, she had the audacity to barge in on Fudge while he was in the middle of a meeting and demanded to speak to me. When I came into his office, she started making all of her...um...absurd accusations about how Harry kidnapped Sirius, who had been given Polyjuice Potion to look like Professor Snape, and how everyone in our family was guilty of aiding and abetting a hardened criminal."

"Oh?" Harry asked calmly, though butterflies were stirring in his stomach. "And what did Fudge say ?"

"Not much of anything at first," Mr. Weasley replied, his twinkling eyes making Harry feel a little more at ease. "Too flabbergasted, I suppose. When he finally found his voice, he pointed out that this was clearly impossible, since Black died nearly two months ago."

"How did she react to that?" Remus wondered, repressing a smile.

"Not well," answered Mr. Weasley. "Not well at all. Started shrieking that Sirius' 'death' was a cover-up Harry instigated to get the law off of his trail, and that she had proof. Then, who should she drag in but Narcissa Malfoy and her charming young son Draco, neither of whom looked or smelled any better than she did."

Harry smiled, and managed a brief laugh. "What did they say?"

"Well, young Malfoy swore up and down that Professor Snape was still at Hogwarts the day he was 'supposedly' hospitalized due to an exploding cauldron," Mr. Weasley began. "Then both of them testified that they saw Snape turn into Sirius before their own eyes.

"Fudge seemed at a complete loss for words, and asked me what I had to say for myself. I told him I didn't know what he was talking about, and Umbridge asked me if I cared to testify to that under veritaserum. At that time, Dumbledore came into Fudge's office with Professor Snape, who stated that he had, in fact, seen young Malfoy on the day in question, but that the accident had happened after that meeting. He looked at young Mr. Malfoy, very menacingly, I might add, and asked him if he 'recalled' seeing him after his 'little encounter' with Harry before the feast. Malfoy recanted, then Snape handed Fudge a copy of his hospital records, which included release papers signed by both himself and Umbridge. Fudge reviewed the papers, shrugged, smiled, and said, 'Well, then, that's that.'"

Harry blinked with disbelief. "Surely I'm not going to get off the hook that easily."

"It appears that you are," replied Mr. Weasley. "Don't you remember how embarrassed Fudge was by all the outrage surrounding Black a few years ago? He still sees it as a bad reflection on himself and on the Ministry. He would like nothing more than for Sirius to die and stay dead, so people will forget all about it."

"So, as long as Sirius stays hidden..." Harry began.

"He should be safe," finished Mr. Weasley. "As safe as anyone else at the moment."

"But," said Remus, "convincing him to lie low will be quite a challenge, won't it?"

"We are discussing Sirius, aren't we?" Mrs. Weasley said, by way of an answer.

"Anyway, how did Umbridge take all of this?" Harry wondered.

"Not nearly as well as I expected," replied Mr. Weasley. "In fact, she broke down in Fudge's office and started screaming all sorts of nonsense. She called him an 'insensitive, heartless little man' who cared more about appearances than his own flesh and blood."

"That isn't exactly nonsense," said Mrs. Weasley.

"No. But what she said after that was," Mr. Weasley continued, and then raised his voice several pitches higher in an amusingly accurate impersonation of Umbridge. 'How dare you, Cornelius! How dare you! How dare you bury your head in your arse after what that evil monster did to your son! After he murdered him, Cornelius! After he murdered him!"

"She has gone 'round the twist!" stated Mrs. Weasley emphatically. "Not just once, but several times! Fudge never had a son. Only a daughter, and she hardly ever comes around!"

"What happened then?" Harry asked, anxious to hear the rest of the story.

"Well, Fudge draped his arm around her shoulder, told her that she clearly was not well, blamed her condition on the incident with the centaurs, and ordered her to take a nice, long leave of absence from St. Mungo's and the Ministry," replied Mr. Weasley.

"I can imagine how heartbroken you were to hear that," said Mrs. Weasley.

"You have no idea," Mr. Weasley replied. "And a bit later, I heard him telling Amelia Bones that he might have to ask Umbridge to take early retirement if she doesn't get a grip."

"What did Amelia say to that?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Well," Mr. Weasley sighed. "She told Fudge that she thought it was the best idea he had in ages. That she thought Umbridge had been rather unstable for the past few year, not due to the centaurs, but to her obsession with capturing Sirius. Later, Madam Bones cornered me privately, and told me that she didn't believe one word of Umbridge's allegations against me and didn't want to know if they were true. Then she said that she had reasons to believe Sirius might have been innocent ever since he was convicted."

"That's rich," Hermione said bitterly.

"Convicted?" Harry added hotly. "He was never even given a trial!"

"I'm well aware of that, Harry, and so is Madam Bones," said Mr. Weasley sorrowfully. "Which I believe is why she told me that if this was the truth, and we were helping Sirius, that we had her blessing."

"Did she say what these reasons were?" Remus inquired.

"No, and I didn't ask. But she did say that Susan told her a great deal about the mayhem Umbridge created at Hogwarts last year. She also mentioned that Susan told her 'other' things. She wouldn't specify what, and I didn't want to pry, but she warned me to advise both Ginny and Hermione never to get into a situation where they had to be alone with her."

"Eeewww," said Ginny, wrinkling her nose as the meaning of her father's words dawned upon her. Hermione merely shuddered.

"Hmmmm," said Mrs. Weasley thoughtfully. "Maybe someone should suggest that Umbridge start looking for Sirius in muggle restaurants! He might be having lunch with that American singer who died twenty years ago!"

Mr. Weasley took another bite of stroganoff and turned to Remus. "How is Sirius fairing tonight?"

"About the same," Remus told him. "His ordeal at the hospital and the trip over here did him little good, but he doesn't seem any the worse for the wear."

"And Kia? Is she holding up all right?" Mr. Weasley added.

"As well as can be expected," Remus replied. "Though her temper's gotten a bit nasty. It's no wonder, though, as hard as she's working, and as worried as she's been."

"I wish she'd let me help her more," said Hermione. "I know what to do for Sirius, I've watched her so many times, and she mentioned that she hasn't slept very well for the past three nights."

"Well, maybe now that she knows Sirius is among friends and loved ones, we'll be able to persuade her to rest," said Remus. "Of course, we may have to magic a cot for her in his bedroom."

"That's understandable," said Mrs. Weasley, clearing away the dinner plates and pulling out dessert dishes. "The poor dear. I wish I'd known then what I do now so I could have at least been there for her. She was the only one who believed..."

Mrs. Weasley was interrupted by a knock on the front door. "I'll get that, Arthur," she aid, setting the dessert dishes on the counter and stepping into the living room.

"Oh, good evening, Albus," Harry heard her say, after she'd opened the front door. "Won't you come in? We've just had tea, but I'll be happy to fix..."

"Thanks, Molly, but Minerva and I have already dined at the Leaky Cauldron," Dumbledore's voice drifted from the doorway. "I've just come to give this to Kia, and to ask if I might have a word with Harry in private."

"Of course, Albus," replied Mrs. Weasley, leading Dumbledore into the kitchen and ushering everyone else out. Harry glanced at his headmaster, who carried a large package under his arm, then returned his gaze to his plate.

"So, am I expelled?" he asked, in a tone that implied that he didn't care one way or the other.

Dumbledore, although seemingly thrown off guard by Harry's sarcasm, recovered quickly. "I wasn't planning to expel you, Harry," he said gently. "Just to congratulate you on the success of your rescue mission this afternoon."

Harry maintained his silence. A gulf existed between them now, and Harry doubted things would ever be the same between them.

"They won't, Harry," said Dumbledore quietly. "You're right about that."

"About what?"

"Things never being the same again...between us."

"Did I say they wouldn't?"

"You didn't have to."

Harry shrugged, failing to see the point.

"They won't be the same, because you're no longer a child. You're a young..."

"When was I ever allowed to be a child, and not a secret weapon against

Lord Voldemort?"

There was another long silence between them, broken only by the steady dripping of the faucet. Harry fidgeted uncomfortably as his eyes strayed toward the stairs. Dumbledore sighed.

"Harry, I can't change the past. Not legally, anyway. But I came to ask you if perhaps, just perhaps, you would be willing to start over? If you would give me a chance to make amends? Of course, with Voldemort back in full power, life won't be easy, for any of us. But Gryffindor needs you back on the Quidditch team, and..."

"THEN WHY DID YOU LET UMBRIDGE THROW ME OFF TO BEGIN WITH? WHY DID YOU LET HER WALK ALL OVER YOU AND TAKE OVER THE SCHOOL?"

"Harry, I..."

"NOW SHE'S TRYING TO TAKE OVER ST. MUNGO'S TOO! KIA AND HERMIONE BOTH REFUSE TO GO BACK THERE NOW, AND SHE WAS GOING TO HAND SIRIUS OVER TO...TO THE..."

Harry's voice broke then, and he couldn't continue. He dropped his head as tears welled in his eyes, tears he was too proud to allow to fall.

Slowly, Dumbledore knelt before him, took his chin into his hands, and gently but firmly forced him to look into his own eyes. Harry noticed that the twinkle in them had died, and that they, too, were filled with unshed tears.

"What must I do, Harry?" he whispered calmly. "What must I do in order to earn back your trust, your respect, and your...forgiveness...for everything?"

Harry thought for a moment. There was only one thing he really wanted.

"Nothing. Not for myself. But I do want Sirius' name cleared. I know he's tired of running from the dementors, and he hates it here in this house!"

"I realize that, Harry. He has every reason to despise this place. His parents weren't very kind to him, worse than the Dursleys are to you, actually. There were several occasions that..."

"Several occasions that what?" Harry snapped impatiently, when Dumbledore paused.

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "It isn't my place to tell you this, Harry, so please don't let on to Sirius that I mentioned it. But, there were a few instances when he'd return to Hogwarts from school vacations looking like he'd been in a fight. On one occasion, his back was cut up so badly that he had to spend the night in the hospital wing."

"You mean...his parents used to beat him?" Harry asked, incredulously.

"Sirius never came forward and told me that, but that has always been my suspicion. Whenever questioned, he would give very generic explanations, as is common for a child in those circumstances. He fell out of the apple tree, walked into the door, slipped on the ice and fell off the steps. At any rate, my suspicions were all but confirmed the moment he moved in with your father and grandparents, because then it all stopped."

Dumbledore sighed sadly. "I'll see what I can do for him, Harry. I must admit, this hasn't been one of the Order's top priorities, with Voldemort and his Death Eaters on the loose, but I'll see that it at least gets the attention that it deserves. In the meantime, since the rest of our world believes that he's dead, I see no reason why he shouldn't get out and about a bit. With an invisibility cloak, of course."

"He can have mine."

"He would never accept hit as a gift, Harry. You know him better than that. But he might appreciate it as a loan."

Dumbledore rose, then met Harry's eyes again. "Now, once school begins, I want you to continue with your occlumency lessons. And don't worry. I'll be teaching you this time, not Professor Snape."

As Dumbledore said this, all of the anger and resentment Harry had built up towards his headmaster over the past year dissipated. He looked Dumbledore in the eye, nodded, and even managed a tight smile.

Dumbledore patted his shoulder. "Now, I need to go upstairs and give this to Kia," he said, indicating the package under his arm.

Dumbledore turned toward the stairs, but Harry stalled him. "Professor, do you think Sirius...I mean…he'll get better, won't he?"

Dumbledore sighed, then turned to meet Harry's eyes.

"I can't make any promises, Harry," he said gently. "But, he has a strong spirit, one of the best healers in our world, and the love and support of friends I don't think he realized he had. So yes, Harry, I think he will pull through."

Dumbledore went upstairs then, leaving Harry feeling much more hopeful.

(A/N: The brief account of Sirius' childhood given to Harry by Dumbledore is based on Lissa's fanfic, "Deny Thy Father." It is definitely in the top five of my list of must-reads.)