Broken Strings

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its associated characters; all copyright belongs to JK Rowling; I do own any OC spells explained at the end of a chapter;

Dedication: I would like to dedicate this story to StormyFireDragon as it is his works that prove to me that such writings don't always have to be graphic; I don't have a specific story to recommend, so I'll just say this: go and read them all.

Harry/Draco

Eventual Luna/Neville

Other Pairings TBC…

Normal Speech

'Thought'

'Mind Link'

/Parseltongue/

Review Answers:

T4: You mean to say that it isn't obvious? Insults Harry; goes against the Slytherins and thinks Harry's safe at the Muggles?

Shades22: I never really planned for any other slash pairings and, if I did, it wouldn't be those ones; besides, Neville already has a pairing in the story; sorry;

StormyFireDragon: It's from here on in that everything starts to fall into place, Storm;

Lowering his wand, Harry asked, "Sirius wouldn't say this, Moony: he wanted me to live with him; he said I was old enough to know the truth back in the summer. He defended me against Mrs Weasley: why…"

"I think I know," Draco answered, approaching Sirius and, kneeling down, he looked into the petrified eyes of his uncle before he rose and, with a nod, he answered, "This isn't Sirius."

Chapter 9: Breaking Point

When Severus Snape saw Remus Lupin walk into his office, he was both confused and curious as to the reason for the Order member and honorary uncle for one of his snakes' presence, until Lupin explained to him that he was needed down in Hogsmeade and it was by Harry's request. Given the new relationship between the two, Severus agreed and followed the wolf out of the school and down into the magical village, the former Defence professor then leading Severus up a slope to the cave where Harry and Draco were waiting, the petrified form of Sirius Black lying in front of them.

"Harry?" asked Severus, noticing how Harry was being held by Draco, a look of fear in the eyes of the Silver Prince, "What do you need me for if Black is here?"

"This isn't Sirius," Harry told him, Draco nodding in confirmation to his godfather as Harry continued, "And, given your experience with this sort of thing, I was wondering if you could help us figure out who it is."

"Let's have a look," Severus replied, moving around the body, the fully-petrified state of the man before him giving Severus little comfort, which only seemed to confirm what Harry was saying: if Severus came across Sirius in any other way, shape or form, then he would have felt great satisfaction. Now, though, looking at the man and, drawing his wand, casting a few diagnostic spells on the body, Severus felt next to nothing at seeing the form of his tormentor at his mercy: maybe it was because he'd made his peace with Harry or maybe, like Harry had said, it was because this wasn't Black: Severus didn't know.

"Well?" asked Remus, Severus shaking his head at the werewolf before he pointed to Sirius' body.

"Harry's right, Lupin," he explained, moving to his student's side as he spoke, "This isn't Black: it's a good likeness, but there are traces of magic at work here as well as what appears to be a potion."

"Polyjuice Potion?" asked Harry, looking to the impostor's corpse of his godfather.

"Possibly," Severus reasoned, looking to Remus as he asked, "How long have you two been here?"

"Fifteen minutes before Harry turned up with Draco," Remus told him, before he nodded to Harry and Draco as he added, "And I know that Sirius, the real Sirius, wouldn't say those things because he loves you like a son, Harry. So be proud of your love for Draco: I can certainly smell the relationship between you."

"Thanks Moony," Harry sighed, before he looked back to the body as he added, "And we've been waiting fifteen minutes since Remus left us here, which would add up to half the time that the potion takes effect: Remy?" he then asked, looking to his honorary uncle, "Can…can you smell anything on him? Any scent that would give it away?"

"I never thought of that, honestly," Remus laughed, moving to the side of the body before he kneeled down and, looking to Harry, he added, "I've spent so long denying my other side's existence that I forgot my senses are sharper than most humans; hang on," lowering his head, Remus sniffed at the flesh and hair of the impostor-Sirius before he looked back up. With a confused look, he explained, "I can smell an array of scents tied to cooked food and meats as well as a strong scent of peppermint and…I don't know: lilacs?"

'Lilacs?' wondered Harry, looking to the body as he processed what he'd heard, 'Who would wear something with lilac and…wait a minute!'

Casting his mind back, Harry recalled what he'd experienced in the Gryffindor Common Room; sharing a dorm with someone for five years, you come to recognise these things; then there was Remus' point about the array of cooked foods. As if this person was someone that thought more with their stomach…and there was only one name that sprang to mind, but, as far as Harry knew, he was back at Hogwarts.

"Dobby!" cried Harry, the House Elf appearing on command as Harry added, "Go to my dorm in the Slytherin House and bring me the blank parchment that's tucked into my Father's Cloak."

Dobby, without so much as a yes-Harry, vanished with a pop, Harry looking to Remus as he explained, "I think I have a theory about what's happened and, if I'm right, I need to know now, Moony: do you stand with me or against me?"

"I would sooner be cursed to eternity with Moony's form than betray you, cub," Remus answered, the wolf then aware of a scent of relief and gratitude that seemed to come from both Harry and Draco.

"No matter what?" asked Harry, his voice filled with strength, "No matter what I chose to do; you'd be there with me?"

"To the last breath, Harry," Remus answered, before Dobby appeared and, handing Harry the parchment, Remus could only smile as he recognised the parchment for what it was.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Harry remarked, watching as the Marauder's Map unfurled itself, revealing the artistic outlines of Hogwarts; laying it flat on the ground, Harry looked up and, with a sorry smile, told Severus, "This is the parchment that insulted you two years ago; sorry I never told you about it, Sev."

"Even the greatest players keep some cards close to their chest," Severus remarked, Harry actually surprised as he realised those were the same words that Luna had used. With a shake of his head, he looked back to the Map and, tracing his wand over its many pages and details, he finally pressed down on one motionless spot in the dungeons.

"There," Harry exclaimed, pointing to the spot, "Ronald Weasley: no doubt performing the detention that you assigned him after nearly destroying my prized possessions; but look…above the name."

Remus looked…and Moony threatened to come out as he read the name above it: Sirius Black.

"Sirius is in Hogwarts?" asked Remus, Severus sharing the man's shock as Harry nodded; Remus, meanwhile, looked to the body of the impostor as he asked, "So…does that mean…"

"Dobby!"

This time, the summons came from Professor Snape, but, just like with Harry, the House-Elf appeared and Severus, with Harry's permission, told the elf, "Go to my potions' stockroom and bring me the vial of purple-coloured liquid in the pyramid-shaped vial."

"Yes Mr Snape," Dobby replied, vanishing once more, while Harry looked to Severus with confusion; seconds later, as the elf returned and handed the vial to Severus, Harry thanked Dobby before he moved to the body.

"Anti-Polyjuice," Severus explained, his voice calm as he explained, "After the Crouch incident last year, I had some brewed in case of another emergency; never thought I'd need to use it to clear the name of my hated enemy."

"Water under the bridge, Severus," Remus told the man, watching as Severus poured the vial down the throat of the Sirius impersonator; at the side of the body, which suddenly began to thrash violently, Harry had buried his head into Draco's neck, his gaze averted as he tried not to look upon the face of whoever would appear.

Stroking Harry's black hair, Draco told him, "It's all right, love: if this is who we suspect it to be, then it's a case of going to Umbridge and getting the truth. Besides, you now know that Remus stands with you; so please, don't be sad now."

With a sniff, Harry lifted his head and turned to look at the thrashing body, just in time to see black hair become red, a pale, gaunt face becoming slightly rounded and freckled and the robes of the man fall over the arms and hands of a fifteen year old boy. With Draco's comfort, Harry just barely managed to restrain himself from drawing his wand as the impostor was revealed. Sure enough, the former body of Sirius Black had now changed back into Ronald Weasley, the eyes of the boy filled with shock and a sense of hatred as he was still petrified.

"Bastard!" snarled Harry, remaining close to his lover as he looked to the body of his former best friend, "And I'd bet every Galleon I have that the old fucker's behind this! Severus, can't you…you know…read his mind?"

"Not without him remembering this," Severus told Harry, levitating the body before he added, "The best thing we can do right now is head up to Hogwarts and collect the real Sirius and then, with a visit to Dolores, we'll have this dealt with officially. Remus, are you…"

"Damn right I am," Remus growled, though he moved to Harry's other side as they moved down the slope once more, the rest of the Court joining their leader as Severus made his way up to Hogwarts. While they moved, Remus added, "Harry, I swear to you that I didn't know anything about this and, if what I think you meant by your comment earlier is true, then you don't have to worry, cub: I care for you as if you were a member of my pack and that won't change. Light Side; Dark Side; it doesn't matter: Moony and I will follow, train, guide and protect you to the last breath: I promise."

"Thanks Remy," Harry sighed, letting his head rest on Draco's shoulder as they moved on up to the school.

However, as they walked through the gate to Hogwarts, Harry opened the bond and, with victory in his voice, he exclaimed, 'Tom: Remus says he'll stay with me: I don't have to lose my family.'

'Easy, little snake,' Tom replied, his voice actually filled with foreboding, 'There's still Sirius to deal with yet and remember that half the Blacks that he hates are on my side.'

'I know,' Harry agreed, before he sent a sensation of hope across the bond as he added, 'If…if he doesn't…you'll still be there for me, won't you?'

'You know I will,' Tom informed him, before he surprised Harry as he closed the bond and left Harry to his thoughts.

ColdHeartDarkSoul

As the members of the Court gathered in Professor Umbridge's office, the Defence Professor giving Remus an almost disgusted glance as she entered, Harry didn't waste time as he asked, "Professor Umbridge, as a representative of the Ministry, are you allowed to issue Veritaserum to assist in getting the truth out of certain members of the community?"

"Were I a normal tutor, I would have to say no, Mr Potter," Umbridge answered, before she gave Harry the smile that he knew and loathed as she added, "However, as you know, in recent weeks, I have been awarded the post of High Inquisitor by the Minister himself, which allows me to perform certain…investigations under the authority of the Minister's office. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, Mr Potter, but I'm fairly certain that Mr Weasley is in fact down in Professor Snape's classroom cleaning cauldrons in the mundane way."

"That's just it, Professor," Harry remarked, keeping the Map a secret for now as he explained, "I have it on good authority that the Mr Weasley down there is not Ronald Weasley, but…well…Sirius Black, my godfather and the recently exonerated former inmate of Azkaban."

"Very well," Umbridge sighed, meeting the eyes of Professor Snape as she asked, "Severus, would you be so kind as to go and collect the other Mr Weasley for me? We can sort this out here and now; oh and if you run into Albus, then tell him that I want him here now."

"Of course, Dolores," Severus remarked, leaving the office for a short time, Harry keeping his wand trained on the floating body of his former dorm-mate while, on his other side, Draco kept a tight hold of his hand as he didn't want Harry to reveal too much here and now.

After a few minutes, Severus returned accompanied not only by the other Ronald Weasley, but the Headmaster as well as Professor McGonagall, both of whom looked surprised to see Remus here along with the two members of Slytherin. As Dumbledore met Harry's eyes, the old man tried to push a thought of innocence and this all being a big mistake into the Silver Prince's mind; however, Harry's shields got there first and Dumbledore was forced to retreat.

Rather than make a big deal out of this, Harry asked, "Professor, do you have the antidote?"

Giving the other Ron the anti-Polyjuice Potion, Harry crossed his fingers and Draco held him close as he watched the body of Ronald Weasley, the non-petrified and apparently-willing Weasley, began to double over in pain, a strange hissing sound coming from within the boy before, as he looked up again, Sirius Black's calm grey eyes looked upon his godson.

"H-Harry?" asked Sirius, Harry letting go of Draco to run to his godfather, hugging him tightly as the man asked, "W-Where am I? W-What happened?"

"Polyjuice Potion, Black," answered Umbridge, the sight of the High Inquisitor making Sirius feel uneasy; however, as he held Harry, the uneasiness passed until Sirius just felt warm at being able to hold his godson in his arms. When the two parted, Sirius walked over with Harry and stood by Draco, who he was surprised, but not ashamed, to see place a gentle kiss on his godson's lips and hold him as though he was the most important person in the world.

"Who?" asked Sirius, directing his words to Umbridge, "And why?"

"That's what we're about to find out," Umbridge answered, "As according to Educational Decree Number 236, the High Inquisitor is permitted to question students under Veritaserum in light of serious offences. And I think impersonating a Noble and Ancient House's Lord classes as a serious offence: Mr Potter, Mr Malfoy, will you two admit to these events if questioned by the Minister?"

"Yes, Madam Umbridge," the two answered, Sirius then noticing the Slytherin Crest on Harry's robe; how could he have missed it?

Just how long had he been…been changed into…someone else?

Severus, who after retrieving Sirius, had also retrieved a vial of Veritaserum, handed the bottle to Umbridge before he explained, "Three drops should be enough, Professor."

Harry, seeing that it was safe to do so, released Ron from the hex that he'd been petrified in and, as soon as he was released, he started doing what he did best: yelling. "How dare you strike me, snake? Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"I've revealed the masked criminal for who he really is," Harry replied, meeting Severus' gaze as he added, "It's almost like some kind of Scooby Doo mystery."

Surprisingly, it was Sirius who laughed as he understood the reference while Severus merely coughed, no doubt to hide a laugh before Umbridge continued, "As High Inquisitor, I hereby charge you, Mr Weasley, with aiding and abetting in the identity theft of a noble House Lord; as is my right, you are to be questioned under Veritaserum and you will answer the questions asked."

"Screw you, Toad," Ron hissed, before he grimaced as he added, "Not that anyone would with those looks; the only way you'd get a decent date is the same way as the faggot here: someone of the same sex."

"You will be silent, Weasley," hissed Malfoy, noticing Harry's grip on his hand suddenly tighten, "Remember, or I guess you won't, but as co-Head of the Inquisitorial Squad, I have Head Boy privileges and it will give me great pleasure to place you on academic suspension. But I think we'll save that for later."

Severus, pinching Ron's nose so that he was forced to open his mouth, placed three drops of Veritaserum on his tongue before, as the boy sputtered and spat, his eyes glazed over and, for the first time in his life, he was silent as he waited for a question.

"State your name," Harry commanded.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley."

"For confirmation," Harry then added, "Are you called Sirius Orion Black?"

"No."

"How did you impersonate him?"

"Polyjuice Potion," answered Ronald, "As well as a mild Compulsion and Memory charm that forced the drinker of the potion to believe he was who he was impersonating."

"How did you know how to brew such a potion?" asked Umbridge, Harry already knowing what was coming next.

"With help from Hermione Granger, my girlfriend, we brewed the potion as instructed and assisted by…mmph!"

Ron was suddenly cut off as his voice was silenced, Harry looking from Ron to Dumbledore, who seemed to tuck his hand back into his robe; with a shake of his head, Harry exclaimed, "Madam Umbridge, it seems someone hit Mr Weasley with a Silencing Charm; may I have your permission to counter the spell?"

"Yes, Mr Potter," Umbridge replied, watching as Harry did indeed remove the charm and, as she looked to Dumbledore, she seemed to share the young man's suspicions.

"Who assisted you?" asked Harry firmly.

"I…don't remember," Ron answered, his words as sincere as any person under Veritaserum; with a scowl, Harry went on.

"What were you trying to accomplish in impersonating Lord Black?"

"We would change his will so that his queer godson received nothing and was forced to go back to his Muggle relatives," Ron answered, Harry having to hold back Sirius at the insinuation, but Harry was angered by the insult. "After that, I would force Harry to stop with the laughable ploy that he's a Slytherin and, with no choice but to respect his parents, he'd drop the sissy-boy he calls his fuck-buddy and find a more respectable and normal relationship."

"I think we've heard enough," Harry snarled, his magic causing a ripple through the office that had the kittens in the photos cowering into their frames.

However, Sirius wasn't done with the little shit as he asked the next question, "Why couldn't Sirius Black remember any of this?"

"After the murderer was released," Ron answered, "And I was suspended from Hogwarts because of the gay-boy's little temper tantrum, a Compulsion was laced into a celebratory glass of wine and then, with a few hairs from me, we switched places. He had to put up with the traitor and his gang of nobodies and I lived the good life."

"Well it's safe to say that your plan failed," Harry remarked, Umbridge administering the antidote while Harry, turning to her, added, "I think it's safe to say that the fifth years will be down two members before today is out, don't you, Madam Umbridge?"

"I'm afraid not, Harry," Dumbledore argued, his eyes filled with their twinkling light as he explained, "As Headmaster, I am the only one that can issue expulsions or suspensions of any real sort and, given that the actions of Mr Weasley are through someone else's actions, I cannot condone such a punishment."

"That's fine," Harry sighed, now looking to Umbridge once more as he exclaimed, "Because, as Heir of Gryffindor and Slytherin as well as Heir of House Potter, I demand the arrest of one Ronald Weasley on the charges of identity theft and conspiring to dishonour the name of a Most Noble and Ancient House."

"And as Lord Black," Sirius added, "I second the charges and add willing use of Mind-Warping Magic to impersonate the Lord of a Most Noble and Ancient House!"

"And," added Draco, much to the shock of everyone else, "As Heir of House Malfoy, I accept the role of witness to these charges through my surrogate Uncle, Lord Black, and in the name of my Father, Lord Lucius Malfoy. With three names and five Houses as invoked witnesses, you have no way out of this one, Weasley: I suggest you start packing right now."

"And if you challenge them, Albus," Umbridge remarked, her voice filled with triumph as she saw Harry now visibly crackling with magical strength, no doubt from Mr Weasley's comments about his sexuality. "Then I do have grounds to have you removed as Headmaster."

"Face it," Harry sighed, looking from Weasley to Dumbledore, "You haven't got a leg to stand on; oh, and just in case: Expelliarmus; accio Dumbledore's wand; accio Weasley's wand; Colloportus!"

In rapid succession, the four spells were fired off; however, as Harry caught Dumbledore's wand, Sirius and Remus noticed a golden glow surround their cub, Harry's magic now showing in the bright glow of his emerald eyes while Umbridge, moving to her fireplace, fire-called Aurors to take care of the convicted parties.

As the Aurors moved to intercept Weasley, Harry felt his anger spike as Dumbledore, meeting the boy's eyes, hissed at him, "You have no idea what you've done!"

Then, before anyone could stop him, the old man grabbed Ron and, at the same time, a plume of golden flames surrounded the duo, Harry recognising the fire as being that of Fawkes, who vanished in his traditional manner, taking Dumbledore and Weasley with him.

"A coward's retreat," Harry scowled, before he proceeded to draw his memories from his head and, casing them in a vial provided by Severus, he handed the memory to the Aurors as he explained, "Take that to Lord Malfoy; he'll know what to do from here on in."

"Of course, Mr Potter," one of the Aurors, a shrewd-looking man named Dawlish – who also happened to be one of Tom's inside sources in the Ministry's circle – answered him, taking the memory before he gave a subtle nod of his head before he added, "Madam Umbridge, I imagine that the Minister will want a word with you regarding the new Headmaster of the school."

"Actually," Harry remarked, now looking to Professor Umbridge, "I couldn't think of anyone more suited to the post than you, Madam Umbridge: a strong hand and leadership is needed here and now; what do you think?"

"I agree with that," Severus answered, Harry then aware of a look of horror crossing the face of Professor McGonagall while Sirius and Remus both nodded.

"We'll see what Minister Fudge says, Mr Potter," Umbridge told him, before she added, "Would you mind unlocking my office now? Then you may go."

"Of course," Harry sighed, unlocking the door and, in secret, concealing the wand that he'd acquired from Dumbledore; as they walked out of the office, Sirius and Remus behind him, Harry then added, "I think we need to talk anyway."

"That's an understatement," laughed Sirius, though his smile wasn't just because of Harry's point; he was also happy that, for the first time in a long time, his pup had found someone who made him feel like a human and not the little boy that the other members of the coward's forces had made him feel like.

However, Sirius wouldn't tell Harry, not yet anyway, about how he felt concerning Dumbledore's retreat: for he knew that the old man had been involved and, in his Black Family heart, the Lord of House Black had only one goal for what had happened to him.

Payback…against Albus Dumbledore;

And he didn't mean money!

Chapter 9 and it seems that Sirius has some secret wishes of his own; can Harry use this to keep his family together?

Also, just how will the Marauders react when they hear the truth about their cub's transformation?

Keep Reading to Find Out…

Next Chapter: Neville gets his surprise and Harry keeps his word, but will Sirius and Remus be with him?

Please Read and Review…

AN: I hope I didn't insult anyone with the words and insults used by Ron in this chapter; I have nothing against m/m relations personally; it was just for the sake of the story…