More Important Things

Disclaimer: I write for fun and any good stuff is the property of JKR, only the mistakes are mine.

Chapter 7

It was an ashen faced Cornelius Fudge that left Amelia Bones's office with the knowledge that a young wizard had his career and even liberty in his hands, after watching those memories and hearing that Lord Potter –Black had also absorbed the Malfoy monies and lands the Minister had no problem granting the small request he asked.

Amelia watched as the Minister of Magic scurried out her office and idly wondered if he would scoot straight to Dumbledore for help now that his other confessor was no longer available, he might find Dumbledore had problems of his own.

It really irked Amelia that such a small minded, weak willed person managed to plot his way to the top but she didn't think he would be there for much longer as one of his support pillars was dead and the other politically damaged. She was as honest as the day was long and could admit to herself she wanted his job, not to line her own vaults or as a power trip but just to see the position filled the way she envisioned it should be.

Magical Britain was being left behind the rest of the world because a small minority were determined to keep the status quo where they ruled supreme, Fudge wasn't a leader but more of a figure head that was wheeled out to wave to the crowds and take the fall when things went pear shaped.

Amelia was sure the next minister would need the backing of Lord Potter-Black, that and the fact her niece was crazy about him had led to her offering the betrothal contract. When that blew up in her face she tried to ingratiate herself to him by introducing the Tonks family and Remus Lupin but he saw right through her and dismissed Lupin out of hand. She had underestimated them and now they would be careful around her until figuring out what she was up to, Amelia hated playing these games but wasn't naive enough to think you could become minister without mastering them.

She then got a break when Lord Potter-Black asked her if she could do something for him and Amelia immediately said yes, if this was a test to see how trustworthy she was then she intended to pass with flying colours. For the amount of political and financial power he held it was a very modest request but one that came from the heart and she would not fail him, not even a bug would get through the shields she was having very discreetly erected around the site.

-oOoOo-

Emma Granger had both arms tightly around her son-in-law as she had the ride of her life, her grip got even tighter as Harry took his birthday present from his wife into a power dive that had Emma screaming before he pulled up in the nick of time.

Since she was a little girl Emma had dreamed of riding on a broomstick but never had it been like this, no gentle glide above the rooftops but slaloming through trees at ludicrous speeds with gut-wrenching climbs and dives thrown in for good measure. Emma loved it and swore roller coasters were pedestrian compared to this, seat belts and harnesses were for wimps as she clung on tighter still and screamed loudly in Harry's ear.

A watching Dan was worried sick until Hermione giggled, "Dad, Harry's a natural at this. He normally has people firing large cannon balls at him while weaving in between hostile players, mum's perfectly safe though don't tell her that. I told Harry she was an adrenalin junkie as far as roller coasters were concerned and he's going to give her the full treatment."

This didn't help as the broom went into a tailspin and Emma's screams must have been heard for miles around but Harry again levelled off at the last second and flew over to where father and daughter were standing.

Hermione was trying not to laugh as her mother had to be helped off the broom, her hair looked even worse than her daughter's first thing in the morning and she could hardly stand on her rubbery legs but still managed to say "Brilliant!" at least once every five seconds.

Hermione climbed on as Harry took her on a gentle circuit around the grounds and buildings that were Potter Manor. They were here to relocate the library to New York and allow Harry some time on his new Nimbus 2001, Hermione was well aware flying calmed her husband and for what he had planned for later she knew he needed this now. No words were spoken or needed as she held him close while he guided the broom gently over their property.

She would be strong for him and hope that was enough, this was unknown territory for both of them and she was so glad her parents were going to be there as Hermione had a feeling they were going to need them.

-oOoOo-

Remus Lupin was having a strange time of it, first the news about Sirius being killed while escaping and then Amelia Bones claiming he was innocent with Pettigrew not only the secret keeper but still alive. Meeting Harry was like looking at a young James but then he had been dismissed out of hand, Remus couldn't really fault the lad as he should have demanded to be part of his life and would one day have to face his friends and explain why he wasn't.

Then he was stood in Madam Malkin's being fitted for new robes that were being paid for by someone who'd also set him up with an interview, the robes he was now wearing were black and more elegant than anything he'd ever owned. It was a different Remus Lupin who made his way back into Gringotts for his meeting and was presented with a portkey, which was how he came to be standing in front of one Harry Potter.

"Hello Mr Lupin, I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot the last time but I needed to know just whose side you were on. My goblin friends tell me you're not on any side and are forced more and more into the muggle world to find work, there really is an interview for you but we have another task to accomplish first. I would also like to get to know you a bit better as the only information I have on my parents is that I look like my dad but have my mother's eyes, I'm hoping you can change that.

-oOoOo-

Nymphadora Tonks watched the scene with tears streaming down her face, she had managed to hold it together when they buried Sirius beside the Potters but when Harry started introducing his wife to the headstones engraved with his parents names her heart broke for the boy.

Here lay the three people who had wanted nothing more in the world than to watch him grow into the fine man he would become and he had no memory of them, Harry started to cry and dropped to his knees with his wife dropping down right beside him. Watching the memories of those two and their commitment to each other was a humbling experience for Tonks, they literally completed one another and Hermione was being his strength here.

Harry had arranged with Amelia for the body of Sirius Black to be released and buried next to his best friend, the location was heavily warded for their privacy and only those with an invite could enter. Her mother, Remus and Professor McGonagall had spoken some words about Sirius in lieu of a service because of the nine people present, four had never met him and Tonks and her dad had only seen him a couple of times many years ago.

It was when Harry approached the graves of his parents with flowers that the emotion of the occasion hit everyone like a bludger, he was explaining why his life was so much better now and he hoped they didn't mind that he was calling Emma mum when the dam burst and emotions that had been held back for years were released in a flood of tears.

Emma and her mum were now hugging them both while Dan, her dad and Remus stood back displaying body language that only men embarrassed by their own emotions can manage. Each secretly wanted nothing more than to hug the crying kids but they were too uncomfortable with public displays of affection to carry out their wish, she had no such barrier and quickly joined the group hug.

Harry could feel the love that was coming from his family and began to get his emotions back under control, his new family meeting his old one had proved just to much for him but the support system he had in place meant Harry could cope with things so much better now. He felt his parents would understand that he couldn't remember them and would be happy that he had Emma and Dan in his life, they already felt more like parents to him than Vernon and Petunia ever did while the girl cuddling both him and Hermione was definitely more what Harry thought a cousin should be.

He was helped to his feet and put both arms around the girl to give her a hug, "Thanks Nym, I just knew we were going to get along."

Her hair was cycling through all the colours of the rainbow until a grinning Hermione hugged her as well, she didn't even mind him shortening her name because of the way he said it she could feel it came from the heart and Nym wasn't going to argue with that.

The nine of them took a portkey but a quartet of witches and wizards were shocked when they arrived at their destination, "Were in New York?" Tonks asked?

"Yes, this is where you'll be living and going to school, is that Ok with you?"

Harry got his answer when the girl with the multi-coloured hair picked him up, spun him round and kissed him.

The 'hem-hem' caused her to freeze and look into the chocolate brown eyes that were boring into her, "Could you please put my husband down!"

Nym was stuttering and stammering before Hermione's resolve cracked and she burst out laughing, "You should see your face," she made it a three way hug before speaking again, "Nym you're family now and Harry get's as many hugs as possible from his family, we've a lot of years to make up for."

She couldn't believe she'd just been duped, "Why you little minx! Oh I think I'm going to love it here."

Hermione took her by the arm to show their latest schoolmate her new room, Hermione's old one since she now stayed with Harry.

Dan, Emma and Minerva gave the Tonks parents the grand tour leaving Harry and Remus alone, "Mr Lupin, please have a seat."

"Thanks Harry but could you please call me Remus, Mr Lupin makes me feel old."

"Ok Remus so straight to business before they all return, Minerva has been teaching us about the wizarding world and I now realise there's so much that I don't know about and you are in a unique position to help with this problem. I am head of two families and have just adsorbed a third yet I know nothing about them, I don't just mean the facts like grandparents names but I want to learn as much as possible what these people were like. There is hundreds of year's worth of family history to sort through as well as things like how did my parents meet? Did my dad change my diaper or was he hopeless and my mum had to do it? I want to employ you to be the family historian, dig through the facts and figures to find out what the Blacks, Potters and Malfoys were really like, I don't want a sanitized version but warts and all – if it ties into wizarding history so much the better. I want to meet once a week where we can go over what you've found and decide where the research goes next while at the same time learning about my parents from someone who shared a dorm with my father and godfather for seven years and was the Gryffindor prefect with my mother."

Remus was blown away, here was an offer of work that was custom made for him and so much more challenging than security guard or working in a warehouse, which is what he'd been doing to earn a living.

It was obvious Remus was more than interested so Harry pressed home his advantage, "Griphook will provide a list of properties we own so please just choose one as your base and live there, you will have access to all the properties, vaults and anything that won't allow you to open it then bring it with you to our next meeting. Dobby will look after you and help with everything you need, the little guy is brilliant but just gets too emotional around me so I want him working with some people who'll treat him properly and hope he'll eventually calm down. Griphook is already moving us out of any inherited businesses that are dark and though the search of Malfoy manor didn't throw up what we were looking for quite a number of dark objects were taken away to be destroyed. Any that your research uncovers should be passed to Griphook for disposal."

Remus found himself nodding, totally forgetting that he was dealing with a young wizard, that he'd yet to say yes or even that salary hadn't been mentioned. Interesting tasks with a place to live and a house elf to take care of him thrown in was more than he'd had at anytime since leaving Hogwarts, he was well and truly hooked though would get an even bigger shock the next time he visited his vault.

Their discussion ended abruptly when Tonks exploded into the room like a firecracker and was once again all over Harry, it took her mother entering for her to switch targets, "Mum, you just have to se this room, it's bigger than my old dorm with it's own fantastic bathroom and even a computer!"

Ted was amusedly shaking his head as his hyper daughter dragged his wife away, "Harry I notice that you have kept this place mostly muggle, was that deliberate?"

"Yes sir, Hermione is muggle born with me being muggle raised so why should I give up Ninja Turtles and Transformers when all the magical world has to offer is gobstones and wizard chess."

This had everyone laughing but Minerva and Harry didn't fancy trying to explain 'robots in disguise' to someone who didn't have a clue what a robot is far less what it's disguise was supposed to be.

The Tonks women returned just as the elves announced that dinner was served which was a delightful meal as hilarious stories of what Harry's father and godfather got up to at Hogwarts were told, Hermione had to thump her husband on the back as he nearly choked on hearing that they had made Snape's hair not only curly but bright pink.

After they had settled down and moved in from the terrace the Potters corralled the Tonks for a talk, "Andi I currently have three seats on the Wizengamot, the Potter, Black and former Malfoy seats and would like to pass the voting rights to you. I have no interest in politics but it would be stupid to ignore what has landed in my lap if we can use it to drag Britain into the new millennium. The Wizengamot would object to anyone of mixed blood and you're the only pureblood in the family."

Andi took a moment to think before answering, "Harry I really appreciate the offer and also the trust it implies but I stepped away from all that pureblood nonsense years ago and have no wish to return to it. Cissi on the other hand loves all the wheeling and dealing and would be a much better choice than me, she's a Black now who will gladly swear a loyalty oath so you can absolutely trust her to follow instructions and do what's best for our family."

"Have you any idea what Draco's going to do?" Hermione asked.

"No, he's spent most of his time alone in his room. Cissi has been in and out trying to talk to him but his father was a big influence in his life and we still don't know what he's going to decide."

Harry had his arm around Hermione for reassurance, "His father was an evil git who died by his own hand, and I don't want to cast Draco out nameless and penniless but will do it if he can't accept being a Black. The first impression I had of Draco was of a spoilt brat who revelled being in his father's powerful shadow, well that's now gone and he has more options than his father was giving us, if he can't handle it then tough!"

-oOoOo-

Draco was sitting alone in a bedroom at his aunt's house with his face in danger of wearing a permanent scowl as that appeared to be his favourite expression lately. He was struggling with a decision that really was no decision at all, swear an oath and become Draco Black or refuse and be a nameless pauper.

All the values his father had extolled offered the proud pureblood no assistance whatsoever while he lay dying in agony from his own poisoned blade. Had he made contact with Potter the goblins would have cut his father to pieces within seconds with both himself and his mother quickly meeting the same fate, because they were married Granger would inherit and wouldn't have lifted a finger to save them if her precious Potter was murdered.

On paper there was no choice to make but life wasn't lived on paper, Draco knew he would have to obey the loyalty oath or it would cost him his magic and perhaps even his life and there was his problem. Draco wasn't certain he could do it and the price of failure was very high.

His mother had been helping but he was going to have to forget everything his father ever taught him and start again from scratch with a halfblood and a mudblood as head of family. He'd received permission to write to his friends but to say he was disappointed with the answers would be a bit of an understatement, he was spitting tacks. Pansy had immediately used the fact that he was no longer Draco Malfoy to cancel their betrothal while Crabb and Goyle just said 'sorry' he knew they were thick but expected more than a one word answer.

It was the reply from his godfather that frightened him most, putting it bluntly he was to say yes then spy on Potter and pass the information onto Severus. The fact that this could cost him his life from the magical oath was conveniently overlooked and Draco couldn't help but think that was something his father would have done, he'd been taught the dogma that Malfoy's bow to no one yet his father's greatest wish was to have his master back. These inconsistencies were peppered throughout his father's 'teachings' and his actions in the bank that day was hardly behaviour becoming of a Slytherin.

His mother had told him that the Blacks were a far more wealthy and powerful family than the Malfoys, they hadn't been in the Weasley class but neither were they in the same league as the Blacks or Potters and only the money his father had got for their betrothal had allowed them to prosper as they had.

He'd been going round in circles for days but it all came back to the same thing, could he give his oath and mean it? His scowl deepened with the thought of being poorer than a Weasley without even his pureblood status to give him comfort, with no family name he would lose that as well. He decided to go over things one last time in his head to see if he could come up with another option though only one day remained of the deadline Potter had set, his mother was delighted she was going to be a Black again and leaning heavily on him to make the same decision.

Draco knew what needed to be done but just didn't know if he could live with the decision, Potter was right about one thing though, the games were now over and it really was life or death.

-oOoOo-

Albus had to concede to his guests from the press that the article in the Prophet was historically accurate, factually correct and the conclusions it drew could be devastating for the future of Hogwarts. The fabled chamber of secrets was reportedly opened before and a student had lost their life, he'd also been forced to admit they'd no idea what killed her or where it came from. His only defence against the accusation that, should the chamber be opened again the school would be defenceless was to state that Hogwarts was the safest building in Britain. His only comment on Lord Potter-Black's offer of financial aid to those who wished to attend school abroad was to thank him for his concern but reiterate there was no need for any students to look elsewhere for their magical education.

The reporters had barely closed his office door behind them when there was a cacophony of noise emanating from all the portraits of the former headmasters, Albus had to shout to restore some kind of order in the room but Phineas Nigellus Black was not for being quiet.

"Albus how could you? As headmaster of Hogwarts your first duty is always the safety of her students, you're handing out guarantees and you have no idea whether you can deliver on them."

"I never gave any guarantees; I simply stated that Hogwarts is safe."

"You know fine well if that chamber gets opened again then this castle will be anything but safe, Lucius Malfoy was dark enough to try and kill using a poisoned dagger in front of the goblin leader then he certainly wouldn't hesitate to release a monster on the school."

"There is no evidence to support that, only your new head of house Black stirring up even more trouble for the school."

There was also no evidence that it was possible to shock a portrait into silence but Dumbledore's remarks almost provided it, Phineas took a few seconds to reply, "The new head of the Black family is putting his reputation on the line and backing that up with his own gold, those are the actions of an honourable man Albus. This appears to be a concept you are becoming less familiar with year by year, there have been no Hogwarts investigations or contingency plans even considered far less planned. You're gambling student's lives to uphold the reputation of the great Albus Dumbledore and I find those actions disgusting and unsupportable."

Albus drew his wand to silence the rebellious portrait only to find he'd left his frame, on further inspection he became aware that every former head had left their frames and he was alone for the first time since acquiring this office.

With even the silver instruments that used to monitor Potter and the wards at Privet Drive no longer making a sound the unaccustomed silence forced Albus to re-evaluate the decisions that led directly to this situation.

On the evidence he now had there was no other option than to admit he'd made a momentous mistake in placing Harry with the Dursleys, that was the pivotal moment in time that everything led directly back to. Had Sirius taken baby Harry he would never have went after Peter and the boy would have been raised in a loving household and his godfather would still be alive, any justification he had for that decision turned to ashes upon viewing the boy's deplorable accommodation and living conditions. Unfortunately it also cost him his dearest and oldest friend.

His pride also took a massive hit with the realisation that the Grangers had played him for a fool, they showed Albus exactly what he wanted to see and it hurt to find out just how easily the muggles had duped him.

The only positive that he could cling to in this whole disaster was that Harry now has a loving family to help alleviate the ten years Albus sentenced him to at the Dursleys, should he have turned dark and joined forces with Voldemort then there would have been no hope for the world.

The family that were so successful in pulling the wool over his eyes would surely be capable of keeping him safe while enjoying the kind of upbringing he'd expected the boy to receive from his relatives.

The problem with admitting to one mistake though was that it opened the door for others to creep in, he couldn't deny that some of his recent staff appointments had been less than stellar and could only hope that he'd got it right this year with his new depute, defence professor and transfiguration / head of Gryffindor.

Even after speaking with the reporters today Albus expected to lose up to a quarter of the students this year and had already noticed a drop in the new first year intake. He was unsure if that was to do with the current situation or the fact that Severus now had the duty of informing families their son/daughter was magical. It never occurred to the smartest wizard of his day that muggles who were unaware their child was magical would hardly be reading about Hogwarts problems in the Daily Prophet.

-oOoOo-

The twins were in trouble, not 'detention' or 'get to your room' trouble but the kind that altered lives forever. The final kick up the backside was delivered by owl and the news that all three girls were leaving Hogwarts just added pressure to what was already a very tense situation. They'd done their homework and had all of their reasons lined up like ducks in a shooting gallery as both approached the most important meeting of their lives.

"Mum, can we talk to you?"

An icy shiver ran down her spine at this serious tone coming from her twins, her first thought was they were far too young to be fathers as she sat down at the kitchen table to discover what had brought about this unprecedented change in attitude.

Molly thought it was Fred that got things started, "Mum we have something very serious to ask and we would like you to hear us out before passing comment."

"Our main interests at Hogwarts are potions and Quidittch, potions is extremely difficult because the professor hates us while the Gryffindor team just lost it's three chasers as well as it's seeker."

"We would like to use the opportunity Harry has provided to broaden our horizons and go to school in another country."

"This would also take the pressure off the new head of Gryffindor as we do pull quite a few pranks throughout the year."

"And the new depute would be after our blood."

"Causing friction between him and our new head of house."

Molly thought for a minute as the relief that they hadn't yet got some girl pregnant washed over her, she always knew Severus was biased against the Gryffindors and especially her family. Apparently only Harry Potter received worse treatment than the twins down in the dungeons of Hogwarts.

Part of her wanted to scream 'NO' but the fact that she was the new head of Gryffindor staid her hand, Molly was aware that teaching and being head of house was going to make this year difficult enough but here was the chance to remove undoubtedly the two worse trouble makers in her new house if not the entire school.

She had no illusions that they would stop their pranks because their mother was head of Gryffindor, the boys would just be extra careful in ensuring they weren't caught while the whole of Hogwarts knew who was responsible.

The question of Hogwarts being safe never entered her mind; Albus had said it was so therefore that must be the case. She also wasn't concerned about not seeing them until the holidays, as this had been the usual practice with their children of school age since Bill first boarded the express.

She had thought she was going to be in the house alone from this year but Molly would now be earning nearly as much as Arthur and still getting to see Percy, Ron and Ginny every day, with Arthur flooing between the ministry and their married quarters in Hogwarts with the Burrow being put in stasis until Christmas break.

Molly could see no down side to this arrangement but decided to run it by her husband before giving a definitive answer, "I need to talk to your father about this and we'll let you know as soon as possible."

Both twins couldn't hide their grins and with shouts of "Thanks mum." headed outside, when they were far enough away from the house they grabbed each other by the arms and began jumping up and down on the spot. Both were well aware who made the decisions in their household and 'need to see your father' just meant a slight delay and gave their mother someone to blame if the decision turned out to be the wrong one.

The boys were ecstatic, with the Quidittch team in disarray, the girls going to France, greasy git now depute and their mother teaching transfiguration and head of Gryffindor the castle held no attraction for them anymore. They were still bouncing up and down but now chanting, "Bless you Saint Harry." while wondering how you pronounced that in French, Fred and George Weasley were going to Beauxbatons!

A/N Thanks for reading