Chapter 9:

A/N I am really humbled that so many people like my story. Thank you, readers, Favs, Follows and reviews.

I have gone through Chapters 1-7 and tried to fix any errors I could see. I am nowhere close to a perfect writer, so I still may have missed something.

Gradek: thanks for that info on Amazon, I did a search "Best stocks of 1989, and misread a post about Amazon. It was best stocks Since 1989. I have edited the story and past chapters to make the stock Dell. I did a deep dive and found that 1988 and up for a while the stock went nuts. This would be good for the Greengrass'

Stormbow: Didn't think you were critical of the story. I was just addressing your review and explaining how I was going to make Ron. I do plan to keep some of his issues to make him relatable. Even giving him an unexpected love interest.

Adrian King1: Funny Daphne is wondering that same question and it will be answered soon. I certainly don't plan to make most Characters Grey. Dumbledore is as I have portrayed him, a man going slightly senile with good intentions who doesn't realize he is making some very bad choices in his elder years. I hope you won't be disappointed in Harry's Lordships as with everything I try to lay a reason and groundwork for them.

Jslee102: Hoping this chapter explains that, I didn't want Dumbledore evil, he always came across as tired to me.

Guest Picky: Hermione will not be the central figure in Harry's pairings. More than likely it will be Daphne. Have not decided on the exact nature of their relationship with each other yet. Will have to see how the story plays out before I make that final call.

Several people pointed out the Fawkes name mix up thanks for that. My auto correct kept changing it to Faux and I didn't catch it, its fixed now. Still looking for a Beta.

As usual I don't own H.P. or I.O.I.

..

Ted Tonks and Remus Lupin were being shown to the private holding cell of Sirius Orion Black for a private interview between Law Wizard and Client. Remus was technically acting as 'Scribe' only so Ted could get him into the meeting. Since his arrival in London two days ago Remus was brought up to speed on the case and still could not believe what he had heard. He wanted to face his old friend and see if this was the truth. Unbeknownst to Ted, Remus planned to kill Sirius if he thought the man was guilty. It was the least he could do for James and Lily.

After they entered the room it was more than obvious Sirius had seen better days. Although Andromeda as an official healer from St. Mungo's was allowed to treat him the man still looked like death worked over. Ted silently prayed they could make the make look more like a Noble Lord and less like a street beggar between now and the trial. Sirius sat silent just looking at the pair of men with a half vacant expression. Ted looked at Remus who activated a dicta-quill and nodded.

"Today is January the twelfth nineteen ninety. Solicitor Ted Tonks interviewing Sirius Orion Black, Scribe Remus Lupin." He began.

"You're Andy's Husband, aren't you?" Sirius said in an almost bored voice which surprised both Ted and Remus.

"Yes, I am."

"And you Moony," Sirius said addressing his old friend. "I see your hand on your wand," he tilted his head slightly. "Are you here to kill me?" Remus' hand twitched. Ted looked at the man.

"Put the wand down Mr. Lupin," he commanded. "Lord Greengrass felt your presence here would be helpful. If you plan to kill Lord Black, then I will be forced to kill you in turn." The man's wand came up pointing at Remus. "Don't think my seemingly gentle nature will stop me, during the war I killed more than most to protect Muggleborn's like myself." Sirius started laughing almost maniacally.

"A Merlin standoff!" he exclaimed. "Who will back down? The Law Wizard or the other innocent man thought to be a traitor." Remus looked at Sirius sharply.

"Explain."

"Well Moony," Sirius drawled. "We both know that during the war Voldemort was recruiting Werewolves. With Fenrir Greyback being your maker naturally you were suspected. You were our dear friend it was a mistake, and all the time the real traitor was hiding in plain sight." Remus sucked in his breath at this.

"I nearly died that day as well," Remus explained. "James dead, and one of my two remaining best friend's dead at the hand of the other who was also a betrayer. I lost all three of you that day." Ted watched the exchange ready to stun Remus if the man showed any signs of casting a spell. This was dangerous but it had to play out.

"Yes and no." Sirius replied in a half giggle. "We lost James and Lily." His half-crazy eyes focused on Moony. "Then the real betrayer, the Rat, faked his death and sent me to Azkaban. You did lose us, but Peter you lost to the betrayal of us all, and me you lost to false imprisonment." He laughed again "It really was a great prank."

"Mr. Lupin," Ted interrupted, "As we explained, we have pretty solid evidence that Sirius is innocent. If you would put your wand down, we can get to the bottom of what I already suspect."

Remus looked between the two men. His half-crazy former friend and the very serious Law Wizard. "Dumbledore asked me to come, I don't know why but I will listen." He put his wand away.

"Lord Black," Ted began. Sirius looked at him, "Please tell us in your own words and to the best of your recollection what happened that night."

"Simple, I arrived at the Potters for what was supposed to be diner. The house was partially blown apart. I entered house and found James and Lily dead. Hagrid was holding Harry, I asked him to give him to me, but Hagrid insisted that Dumbledore requested Harry be brought to him. I felt he would be safe with Albus, so I lent Hagrid my Flying Motorcycle and Apparated to where I knew Peter was staying."

"Why did you go after Peter?" Ted asked.

"He was the secret keeper," Sirius explained.

"That's a lie! You were the secret keeper!" Remus accused. Sirius just started to laugh again.

"No, I wasn't you dolt," he exclaimed, "I was the Decoy!"

"What?"

"Everyone expected me to be, so we made Peter the secret keeper instead." He explained as if to a child. "Peter it seems was keeping 'other' secrets as well."

"So, what they tell me is true," Remus said in a daze, "Peter was not chasing you for revenge, you were chasing Peter."

"That is correct," Sirius said with a sigh, "When I found him, he pranked me though," he laughed again half mad.

"What do you mean?" Ted asked.

"He sent a blasting curse into the street, I barely had time to partially shield." Sirius continued, "My eyes had only just adjusted when he cut off his own finger and scurried down the drain."

"How did he escape down the drain?" Ted said confused. Sirius looked at him and said nothing.

"You may as well tell him," Remus spoke up. "It's not like they can send you to Azkaban for it Padfoot." Sirius laughed long and hard at this. It was obvious he would need quite some time to recover if he was found innocent.

"James, Peter and I are all unregistered Animagi" Sirius finally spit out. "We became them while still in Hogwarts to keep Moony over there company when he changed into a Werewolf. James was a magnificent Stag; Peter is a brown Rat." He finished.

Ted looked astonished, to become Animagi in school! "And you Lord Black, what is your form?"

"A dog of course," he laughed "A big black dog, also known as a Grimm to some. Sirius Black the Black Dog." His laughter was once again half out of control.

"Let me get this straight." Ted asked. "You Mr. Lupin are a Werewolf and have been since your Hogwarts days."

"Since I was four actually," Remus added.

"Your friends found out while you were in school and became secret Animagi to keep you company?"

"Yes," Remus admitted, "Animals cannot be turned into a Werewolf. In their Animagi forms they were safe to be around me during the change." Sirius was still laughing although a bit quieter now.

"Can you show me Lord Black?" Ted requested. Sirius looked up at him and transformed. The Grimm walked around the room and bumped his head into Remus' hand then went back around the table and turned back into Sirius Black.

"Sweet Merlin," Ted exclaimed, "Harry was right to call Peter a Rat."

"Harry?" Sirius looked well serious. "You know my Godson?"

"Well yes, it's because of him we are even here talking to you." Ted explained. "He was recently found by some mutual friends and heard the story of the night his parents were betrayed and killed." Sirius and Remus winced. "He said that what he heard didn't make sense and we looked into your case."

"Ahh James," Sirius exclaimed, "Still looking after me from beyond."

"Lord Black, would you be willing to testify to what you told me in court under Veritaserum? I know that as a Lord you can refuse it, but it would go a long way to proving your innocence."

"Will I be able to see my Godson?" he pleaded.

"After the trial yes," Ted agreed. "You need to admit you are an unregistered Animagus, but the fine is minimal, and they can't sentence you to jail time after all the years you spent wrongfully incarcerated."

"Yes, I will" he stated flatly.

"Padfoot," Remus dared speak again. "We need to get you ready for trial. As you are now…"

"I'm half mad I know." He replied. "Will you help me Remus?" Moony just nodded his accent.

The two men left a hopeful but clearly mentally impaired man behind. Ted would do what he could to allow Remus regular visits to help Sirius be prepared for the trial. Maybe he could make him an intern or something. The fact that Remus was a Werewolf didn't bother Ted, he knew by reputation he was a good man. With this information he was prepared to speak to the Davis' and Greengrass'.

..

Harry and Daphne were once again working on his Occlumency. He was progressing fairly well although not nearly as adapt as Daphne was yet. They had started by learning basic 'Legilimency'. She was surprised how well Harry knew the pronunciation and wand motions. She has seen her father use it, even on her to test her shields a bit, but Harry knew better than she did now it worked. Daphne was 'borrowing' her Grandmother's wand for these lessons and as exciting as it was, she had to know something that she was thus far afraid to ask.

Today she was explaining again how different people used Occlumency in different ways. Tori for example envisioned a tortoise shell covering her mind. It was just a block; she would later learn to build the 'Mind Palace' or something equivalent to make her shields even stronger. Looking intently at Harry who was trying to make his own 'Mind Palace' she finally had to ask.

"Harry, why did you ask me for help with this?" he looked up at her but didn't answer. "I mean, Mum or Aunt Leslie could have helped you better than I can. I have to nick Grandmum's wand from the mantle each time I try to use 'legilimency' to help you build better defenses." Piercing green eyes turned her way.

Harry looked at the young blonde for what must have seemed like a long time to her. What she didn't know was that while he was looking her way his mind was going over his past. All the adults who had failed him. The Dursley's, Dumbledore, Sirius, McGonagall, all the teachers both Muggle and Magical who didn't help through all the craziness he had faced in school and beyond. Then he thought of his friends. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny, the Twins, all of the D.A. In his life he has only been able to trust his peers, children, they had almost always been there for him. He only lived as long as he did because of them. There had been a few times they had let him down, but adults…they had always let him down.

"I don't trust many adults," Harry began when she was beginning to feel uncomfortable under his gaze. "Most of them have let me down. You're Da, he found something out about me on accident, so I am almost forced to trust him." He looked deep in thought for a moment. "The Davis's are like teachers, I know they are giving me knowledge, but so did my teachers in the Muggle world."

"Harry," she tried.

"Let me finish," he said. "Your Mum and Dad are great, and so are the Tonks', but I have found I can only really trust and depend on my peers." He looked pensive again. "I trust you to teach me partially because you remind me of someone." He was thinking of how similar she was to Hermione. "If what I have asked you was too much, I am sorry. We can quit these lessons any time you want."

"Are you telling me that you trust me more than you trust Mum and Da?" she asked. Not really believing it.

"Yes," Harry agreed. "I still have trouble fully trusting adults." He looked her way again. "Don't think I don't appreciate all this" he said waving his hands around him. "It's just my own hang ups I guess."

Daphne contemplated the boy sitting in front of her again. He was still such a puzzle. He had been correct; she had seen flashes of things while teaching him Occlumency. The Killing curse, his moms voice, a bushy haired brunette girl, a gigantic snake and a red-haired boy across a wizard chess board. None of what she saw made a lick of sense. However, she realized that in all her snippets of his memories they mostly involved children.

"Ok Harry," she decided, "What does your Mind Palace look like now?"

Harry smiled, "I am working on a large Castle. Most of the rooms are nothing but dead ends filled with chloroform, a Muggle sleeping gas." He explained. "There is a secret passage behind a false wall that you have to walk back and forth in front of a number of times that I won't tell you." He smiled at her knowing this was a small test. "In that room is a vast library where all my memories are. Everything else in the Castle is a lie."

"You managed to build this in your mind?" she questioned.

"Not yet," he admitted, "It's a work in progress. I still need to work on the space to hold my emotions back like you can do."

"Try to imagine the outer walls of your Castle with a moat beyond it." She suggested. "All your emotions have to fight through that wall, then get swallowed by the moat if they get past it."

"What about when I want my emotions to show?" he asked, "Like when I am with someone I love?"

Daphne pinked a little at this question. "You can learn to turn your Occlumency shields on and off at will." She explained, "So if you were with a girlfriend for example you would not have to hide yourself."

Harry thought of this in the same way he thought of using Energy Sight. Something that can be used at will when he needed it. "Thank you, Daphne that is very, helpful." He didn't notice the young girls' cheeks turning even more red at his praise.

..

Three days after his meeting with Sirius Ted was meeting with the Greengrass' and Davis' to go over what he had learned. This meeting also included Remus Lupin, Amelia Bones and Harry. Once everyone was gathered Ted began.

"Our meeting with Sirius brought up some unexpected results."

"How so?" Director Bones asked.

"He verified much of what we thought with no prompting," Ted explained. "I asked him to tell me what he could recall of that night and he mostly spoke of what we thought. He lent his Motorcycle to Hagrid, chased down Pettigrew and was set up."

"What are you leaving out?" Cyrus asked.

Ted looked at Lupin who just nodded. "It would seem that James, Sirius and Peter all became Animagi in school." There were shocked reactions around the table with the exception of Harry, Cyrus and Remus.

"What is an Animagi?" Harry asked.

"It's a Wizard or Witch, who learns how to turn into an animal," Ted responded.

"That's what Mum told Sirius in my letter that I was not allowed to learn until after I graduate." Harry laughed.

"Did you know about this Remus?" Pricilla asked.

"I did," he responded.

"Why didn't you become one with your best friends?" Pricilla pressed.

"I didn't need to," he replied, "They became Animagi for me. You see I am a Werewolf." The reaction from Castor and Pricilla was astonishing to the rest of the group. The siblings both jumped to their feat and had wands out in less than a second pointed at Remus Lupin. If not for the quick reaction of Cyrus who yelled for Rory, the pair may have cast spells on the man. Instead they found their hands empty. Rory the house elf standing in the doorway holding both their wands.

Harry had thanked the Incarnations at that point for Cyrus' reaction. He was about to use his 'Hand' and 'Shield' ability to stop the siblings from attacking Moony. That's when he realized he was somehow standing in front of Remus both hands out. Several pairs of eyes were on him.

"How did you get over there Harry?" Leslie Davis asked.

"Accidental Magic I imagine." Cyrus lied smoothly. "He was trying to protect one of his parents' good friends." He looked at his wife then at Castor. "Care to tell us why the two of you were ready to attack Mr. Lupin?"

"He's a Werewolf!" Castor exclaimed.

"Yes, he is," Ted said cautiously, "And a good man as well." Castor glared at him. Pricilla was looking down her eyes filled with sorrow. Harry made his way back to his seat.

"It's ok Lord Greengrass," Remus managed. "I know my kind are frowned upon; I will leave your house."

"You will do no such thing!" Castor commanded. "I want to know what is going on here."

"Perhaps we can wait to hear the rest of my Godfathers meeting until we clear up what this is?" Harry suggested motioning to the people in the room.

"Everyone sit!" ordered Lord Greengrass. "Rory, collect all wands." He added handing the house elf his own wand first. When all wands were collected, he addressed the group. "Speak." Was all he said.

"You know the Davis Family has a rule against Secrets." Castor began, "But even Pricilla must not have told you why that rule was placed within our house." Cyrus looked at Pricilla and she just nodded.

"Continue."

"Many years before Pricilla and I were born," Castor began, "Our great Grandda was bitten by a Werewolf on the night of a full moon. He was a very skilled Wizard and managed to kill the curr that bit him." His eyes were on Moony who was only looking down in shame.

Cyrus looked over at his wife who was always the most gentle and accepting woman only to see her also glaring at Remus Lupin.

"He returned home and used a potion to heal the wounds." Castor paused, "He thought because he killed the Werewolf who attacked him and healed himself straight away that he was safe from the Curse." Several people in the room including Harry were beginning to see where this story was going.

"He didn't tell anyone about the attack, did he?" asked Amelia Bones.

"No, he didn't," Castor replied, "Twenty-seven days later while the family slept, he turned." The man spat. "Only my Granda managed to survive that night unharmed. His Mum, bother and sister were all either tuned or killed before my Great Granda was taken down. When my Granda married, he implemented the 'No Secrets' rule and wards in our house to prevent such an event again. We were all told this story many times in our youth. We will not allow another secret to destroy us."

"Lord Davis," Director Bones said, "I understand your family's rule, and your dislike for Werewolves. However, had you and your sister attacked Mr. Lupin who is here to help I might add, unprovoked I would have had to arrest you in my capacity as head of the DMLE."

"But Director Bones?" Pricilla exclaimed.

"No Buts," Amelia stated. "We are here to help free one innocent man and you nearly attacked another! His affliction does not give you cart blanche to attack him as he sits here a guest in your house." Pricilla looked down once again. Castor Davis' face looked troubled.

"Well now," Cyrus spoke softly, "What have we all learned from this?" Harry started laughing which broke some of the tension in the room.

"Wow, Uncle Cyrus," Harry said still laughing. "Remind me to never get attacked and turned against my will by a Vampire or Werewolf. I would hate for Aunt Pricilla or Lord Davis to have to kill me for being a victim of said attack." Pricilla and Castor both looked almost horrified by the comment. It was the effect he had been looking for. Cyrus smirked but kept quiet. "I mean imagine if it happened to Tracy of Daphne." He continued. "They would have to kill their Daughter or Niece because of something beyond their control!" this final comment was the final nail Harry hoped to drive in.

"Mr. Lupin," Lord Davis spoke formally. "I apologize on behalf of House Davis for nearly attacking you. I offer you a Boon to our House if you so desire." He bowed slightly in shame. Pricilla Greengrass looked equally shame faced as she realized she had almost attacked a guest in her house. This would have violated the rules of Hospitality set eons ago in the Magic world.

Remus looked at the pair of siblings. He remembered the struggle his family had gone through on his behalf. "I accept your apology Lord Davis," he said. "I need no Boon from your House save please remember not all Werewolves are evil." Castor Davis nodded. A looked passed between Cyrus and Pricilla that let her know this issue would be addressed between the two of them later.

"Now that the excitement is out of the way." Ted said trying to break the ice a bit more. "Can we get back to the case of Sirius Black?"

"Yes, where were we?" Director Bones asked.

"I believe it was Animagi," Leslie Davis commented.

"The three friends of Mr. Lupin here, became Animagi to help him during the full moon." Ted reiterated.

"Sirius used to call it my 'Furry little problem'" Remus smirked.

"James Potter turned into a Stag, Sirius Black a large black dog or Grimm and Peter Pettigrew a brown rat." Ted explained. "Sirius showed me his Grimm form in our meeting, and he is willing to use Veritaserum in court to explain his story."

"That's a good call for a Noble Lord who is innocent," Bones added.

"Peter blew up the street, cut off his own finger then turned into a rat and went down the sewer." Ted finished. "This means he is probably still out there somewhere."

"Harry?" Castor questioned, "You said Sirius was probably wanting revenge on the rat. Why did you say that?"

"I was angry," Harry explained, "In Muggle movies a bad guy like him is always called a Rat, I guess I didn't realize how prophetic those words were." He lied smoothly. This was the excuse he and Cyrus had come up with. Had Castor not asked the question Cyrus would have.

Ted laughed, "Yes I should have thought of that, especially in those old gangster movies." He looked at Remus, "Mr. Lupin is also willing to out himself as a Werewolf in front of the court to help prove the case."

"Mr. Lupin," Cyrus said, "You should not have to do that with the evidence we have."

"It's Ok Lord Greengrass, this will be the best way to prove Peter is still out there."

"So, we now know for certain that Sirius is innocent." Director Bones stated, "As head of the DMLE I will be the one to prosecute this case more than likely. Although it may seem a conflict of interest. I give you permission to tear me apart in there Solicitor Tonks."

"Believe me Director Bones, I plan to." There was laughter around the table as talk of the game plan was hashed out more. Harry sat in silence and listened. If all went well on March fifteenth Sirius would walk out a free man.

"Mr. Lupin," Cyrus spoke, "I would like to invite you to stay in one of our guest rooms." He put his hand up before Remus could protest. "It is my way of apologizing for Lady Greengrass' behavior tonight. We will also supply you with Wolfsbane potion and the use of our lower level which can be locked from the outside on the nights of your change." The look in the mans' eyes made Remus realize there was no way to refuse.

"Thank you, my Lord, it is more than I deserve."

"Nonsense, Mr. Lupin, and call me Cyrus."

"Only if you call me Remus," Moony smiled and stuck out a hand. The two men shook, and everyone said their goodbyes. Rory showed Remus to his room.

..

Later that evening in the training room Cyrus and Harry were discussing how Harry had once again 'accelerated'. It was so fast and unconscious that Harry had not even realized he had done it. Harry had been using Energy Sight but was so focused on the wands pointed at Moony, that he didn't see himself what he did.

"Harry, I want you to focus on that feeling you had when you saw the wands pointed at Remus." Cyrus explained. "Intent, willpower, visualization and execution. All the things we have been working on." Harry started to think about the panicked moment he had when we thought Remus would be attacked. It would have been his fault. He had seen Remus die once before torn apart in a battle with Fenrir Greyback. He would not have been able to forgive himself if Moony died because of the changes he was making to the timeline.

"If you need to tell Castor about me to keep the no secrets pact, I will allow it." Harry said suddenly. Realizing there were too many secrets.

"Harry, your secret is a Potter secret, not a Greengrass secret." He smiled, "Well that's what I tell myself to allow it. Just like I don't ask you what you are doing with Daphne when she 'Borrows' my Mums wand from the mantel." He laughed. Harry looked at him sharply.

"I wondered if the wards were going off when we did that." He sighed in resignation. "I'll be honest she is helping me learn Occlumency." This surprised Cyrus.

"I didn't think to teach you that and I should have." He apologized, "Are the lessons going well?" he knew that he could add the lessons to what they were currently learning, but he also suspected that it would be good for the pair to become closer. A smaller part of his mind, the 'Lord Greengrass' part hoped that the pair might wind up together. He knew Harry's mental age would be an issue, but he also knew the boy would never do something depraved with his young daughter.

"She reminds me of Hermione." Harry confessed, "I like working with her. I have started developing my 'Mind Palace'."

"That's good then," Cyrus nodded, "I imagine you showed her how to use 'Legilimency' to help the process?"

"I did," he admitted, "Its not strong, not like yours or Snape's would be, but it's enough for her to teach me."

"My Daughter always was a quick study." He smiled, "It's good for her 'Proper' ways to think she is getting away with something. Sooner or later she will realize that I know and come ask for my forgiveness but It's ok. Having you in our lives has enriched us and made changes for the better."

"Even if I bring Death Eaters to your door?" he sighed.

"The Malfoy's were always at my door." Cyrus responded. "the investment you suggested to me will mean they will not be in my family as well." Harry nodded at this. "Now, focus. Think about what you felt. Go into your 'Mind Palace' if you have to and relive the memory."

Harry closed his eyes and did as instructed. He found the memory he was looking for. When he opened his eyes again, they had that eerie glow they get from time to time. Cyrus threw the ball they were using for this practice with the Knockback Jinx. As soon as the ball flew, Harry was gone.

To Harry it looked like the world slowed. The ball was flying through the air just out of reach. He was 'running' right under it with his hand outstretched. Years of seeker reflexes allowed him to snatch it out of the air when it was low enough. He looked back and saw he was three quarters of the way across the room. Before he stopped the power, he 'ran' back to Cyrus.

"Merlin's bullocks!" Cyrus exclaimed when Harry seemed to just blink for a second then stand before him holding the ball.

"I think it worked Uncle." Harry smiled. "Let's try again." Cyrus laughed.

"Ok Harry," he prepped two balls this time. "Go!" They worked on the 'acceleration' power for another half an hour. Harry felt drained and starving.

"Why am I so Hungry?" Harry asked. "We didn't eat that long ago." Cyrus thought about it for a few minutes.

"I think you are literally 'accelerating' everything in your body Harry. It may mean you are ageing a bit at the same time. In any case you need to eat again because you used up all your bodies fuel." He pursed his lips, "That's my theory anyway."

Harry nodded. "It's a good theory. I think I want to eat something then sleep."

"That's a good idea." Cyrus acknowledged. "You did well tonight Harry. I am proud of you. When you get to your room have Rory bring you a snack."

Harry beamed at the praise, then 'accelerated' to his room leaving a laughing Cyrus behind.

..

A/N: I was going to include Sirius trial here, but I thought the relationship building and new understanding of powers was a good place to end here.

I hope the explanation of why Harry wants Daphne to teach him makes sense to people. He is still suffering in many ways from PTSD, and he really was only able to rely on his friends in the books. There were a few times adults stepped in, but from the Troll to the Horcux hunt it was always his peers.

Next chapter will include the trial.

Please review and let me know what you think.