Disclaimer: … -le sigh- Nothing belongs to me yadda yadda yadda.

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to EsirisM , who after a year from you all hearing nothing from me actually reviewed this story two days ago.

And cookies are given to olupotter18 for unknowingly guessing at what was going to happen XD Nice job.

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Previously:… Turning his gaze away from Mrs. Weasley's disapproving stare, he merely made his way to Hermione's bedroom as it was the only room he was now sure was unoccupied. Glancing down at the nearly hyperventilating teenager in his arms, he knew it would be a while before she would be able to see anyone. Determined to stay beside her as an anchor, he shut the bedroom door and effectively shut the world out for a few hours.

July 28th Continuation

Remus watched as his husband took the crying teen to her bedroom and shut the door.

"Go back to your rooms. It's early yet and we have a big day tomorrow. Go on." He shooed the kids to their rooms, pulling Ginny to stay behind. The adults stayed for a second more before coming to the conclusion that there was nothing they could do. Arthur glared at his wife and pulled her away when she made an attempt to go to Hermione.

"She's being taken care of." He said sternly and watched as his Molly walked away to the kitchen in a huff. He turned to tell Remus that she meant well but seeing the look on his face, knew that it was useless. The woman had just belittled him as a parent. He walked away to get ready for work.

Remus looked at the young redhead, "Come on, you can rest for a bit more in Harry's or Draco's bed."

Ginny nodded but didn't say anything, gaze lingering as they passed the door to her shared room.

"She'll be okay, Ginny. She just lost her parents. And the Ministry is mocking her loss by saying that it was a muggle store robbery. We're all intelligent enough to realize that that is not true. It didn't mention how they died but I bet it was at the end of a wand that belongs to a Death

Eater." He said, furious at the Ministry for still trying to cover things like this up.

Ginny shook her head, "How do you know?"

Remus smiled bitterly, "They did the same thing to my parents. I was able to prove them wrong, but in their death records it still states "Death by Muggle means." The Ministry isn't very keen on admitting they were wrong in any way."

"That's disgusting." Ginny whispered as they arrived at the boys' room.

Without being prompted, she crawled into Harry's bed and cuddled up to him, needing comfort. Draco watched them quietly before turning over and falling back asleep; Ron, however, didn't even wake up in the first place.

Harry's eyes fluttered opened and Remus moved to reassure him.

"What's going on?" He asked, arms going around the redhead that was softly crying into his shoulder. "Where's Mia?" He started to get up, realizing what must be happening but Remus stopped him.

"Harry." He said, framing the worried face in his hands, "Daddy's got her. There's nothing you can do for her now, except get more rest so you can support her later."

"But…" He was stopped from going further as Remus pushed him down.

"But nothing. Sleep some more, we'll wake you later. Would you like a little more Dreamless Sleep or do you think you can do without it?"

"I'm tired enough to fall asleep without it." He answered, turning on his back so Ginny could use him as a pillow, "Papa?"

Remus turned back to him, stifling a smile at how easily the title fell from Harry's lips, "Yes, baby boy?"

"Tell Mia I love her."

Remus smiled sadly and pressed a kiss to his brow, "I will, Harry. Get some sleep." He stayed, running his fingers through unruly hair until Harry and Ginny fell asleep again. Getting up, he softly closed the door before making his way to the library.

He entered the dusty room, looking around sadly at the plethora of books on the floor. His eyes fell on what he guessed was the last book Hermione was looking at. He moved to it and picked it up, going to a table. Scanning the page, he stopped to read the underlined portion.

"A wizarding child under the age of 17 is to be sent to a foster home until they have reached that age.

Loophole: A child below the age of 17 can also be adopted if that option is available. A person willing to adopt said child must present proof that they can support the child financially, emotionally, and mentally. As long as the court is shown proof of all of the above, they cannot deny the request for adoption, but may send a person to spy on the family for up to 4 days to ensure it is a safe environment."

Remus leaned back on his chair, the wheels in his head already turning. 'First stop, Gringotts.' He thought, getting up to head to the bank.

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Sirius closed his eyes, tightening his arms around the girl sobbing into his shoulder, his heart breaking more and more by the second. She had been dozing and crying on and off for the past 3 or so hours and Sirius was starting to wonder if he would have to get a Calming Potion for her.

It was a few more minutes before her cries softened into hitched breaths and hiccups. Running a hand up and down her back, he opened his eyes when she started speaking.

"I told them about you in the end of last year. They were extremely surprised that the wizarding world could be so unjust. I think they had this notion that everything was perfect where there was magic. I told them about how you and Remus treated Harry and me as your children when we were around, especially during the school year when I couldn't be with them."

Sirius kissed her head softly, "What did they say?"

He could feel her smile sadly against his chest, "That they were happy for me. That, while they missed me and wished they could be with me, they were glad I had surrogate parents when they weren't around." She let out a breathy laugh, "Did you know that even before Harry started saying it to your faces he still referred to you and Remus as Daddy and Papa when it was just him and me?"

Sirius's eyebrows went up and he shook his head.

Hermione nodded, "Eventually, I got so used to it that when we're alone I use the same terms. I once used it accidently in front of my parents and I thought they would be really hurt but they weren't. They explained to me that they knew in their hearts that I loved them and that they held a special part in my heart. And that they were okay with the fact that I thought of you two as a second set of parents."

Sirius bit his lip and swallowed the bittersweet feeling he was getting. The girl had just lost her parents, but to think of the fact that he was thought of as a parent to her…

"Daddy…" She whispered.

Sirius tightened his arms, "Yes, baby girl?"

She looked up at him with tired eyes, "You won't let them take me away, will you?"

Sirius looked into her eyes, "Never."

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Remus waved to Tom the barkeeper as he stepped into the flames and flooed back to Grimmauld Place. Stepping out of the fireplace and into the gloomy kitchen, he ignored Mrs. Weasley, gripped the document he held in his hands and ran upstairs.

Coming to a stop in front of Hermione's bedroom door, he paused as he heard the last of their conversation.

"Daddy…"

A beat.

"Yes, baby girl?" Came the sound of his husband's voice. He was almost startled enough to miss the next thing that was said.

"You won't let them take me away, will you?"

"Never."

Figuring he could ask Sirius later, he knocked softly on the door.

'It's me at the door. I have some news for Mia.'

The door unlocked and he walked in. His eyes fell on Hermione and he let out a sympathetic sigh. The blonde closed the door behind him, locking it once more, before sitting down next to the two on the bed.

Quickly glancing at his watch, he noted that it was around 8 in the morning which gave them a fair few hours to get things ready not only for the plan that had conjured itself in his head but also gave them enough time to explain to Harry what would come on his birthday. He looked back up at the expectant faces and took a breath,

"Do you remember the last book you read? The one with all the loopholes?"

It took Hermione a minute or so to remember what book he was talking about, her brain trying to play catch-up. After a pause she nodded, waiting for him to go on.

"The loophole you underlined... the one about the adoption? Would you consider giving us the privilege?" Remus asked softly, looking into red-rimmed eyes.

Sirius was looking confusedly between the two, "What are you talking about? What loophole?"

Remus glanced at him, 'You'll see. If she agrees, it will be an answer to this. I know you'll be ecstatic so I know I don't need to ask.'

Sirius narrowed his eyes, the wheels starting to turn in his head, but looked to Hermione for her answer.

Hermione got to her knees shakily on the bed, "You would? Just like that?"

Remus pressed his lips together in mild annoyance, "How could you even ask me that? You know we would. We already think of you as one of us anyway."

Remus had barely finished his sentence when he had an armful of teenaged girl.

"May I know what's going on?" Sirius said, already guessing at the events taking place but wanting to hear it anyway.

"We'll have to prepare for two adoptions come July 30th instead of just one." Remus replied, lips twitching into a bittersweet smile.

Sirius smiled softly, "Yeah. That's what I thought." He said, kissing Hermione first on the head and then giving his husband an understanding kiss to the lips.

Suddenly, Hermione broke out of the embrace and went to the door.

"Mia?" Sirius asked, confused.

Instead of answering, Hermione yanked the door opened and started racing down the hall. Coming to a stop at Harry's bedroom door, she ignored the footsteps behind her and went in. The brunette didn't even glance at the second body on her brother's bed, instead choosing to dive at him, startling him awake.

"Mia?"

She squeezed him tighter and started whispering in his ear, not noticing Ginny's confused grumbles as she was forced awake, "Daddy and Papa are offering to adopt me so I don't have to go to a foster home. Are you okay with that?"

Harry smiled and squeezed her back, "How could you even ask me that?"

She giggled, a little hysterically, at how much he sounded like Remus at that moment but snuggled down into his embrace nevertheless, quickly falling into an exhausted sleep. Harry blinked at the sudden turn of events and looked at his parents standing in the doorway while Ginny grumpily made her way towards Draco's now empty bed.

"You're really going to adopt her?" He asked hopefully.

Remus smiled slightly and went to him. He bent down, brushing a kiss first on his son's forehead and then on his newest child's head.

"Yes."

He moved back to Sirius while his mate started talking to Harry, "Despite this new turn of events, we have to speak to you about something important. So sleep for a bit more, then when you wake come find us."

Harry smiled, "Okay." He said, eyelids already getting heavy once more. The last thing he saw before he was once again taken by sleep was his Daddy blowing a kiss in their direction, the love in his expression enough to make Harry's breath catch slightly.

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When he next woke, Harry blinked in confusion for a second before the events of the day caught up with him. He looked at the clock on his bedside table, absentmindedly running his hand up and down Mia's arm.

"Ten fifteen. Wow... I haven't slept this much or this well in awhile."

He got up, careful to not wake his sister. He quietly got dressed and headed out of the room, making sure to close the door behind him.

"Hey."

Jumping in fright he quickly spun, nearly falling down in the process. He bumped into the person who had called out to him and looked up.

"Draco. Gods, don't do that."

Draco laughed, along with Ginny, Neville, and Luna who were in his company.

"I apologize. Why so jumpy Harry?" He snickered as Harry glared as an answer, "Sirius and Remus want to speak with you, and they're in the kitchen if you're wondering. I was just going to grab a book and then we were all heading up to the library if you want to join us afterwards."

Harry blushed slightly but nodded, not trusting himself to say anything. Ginny and Neville hid their smirks behind their hands and started heading towards the library, dragging a daydreaming Luna behind. Draco just smiled, slightly on the oblivious side as he quietly went into the room Harry had just left.

Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts and started down the stairs, towards the kitchen. Carefully tiptoeing across the entrance hall, he opened the door to the kitchen and went in. He paused in the doorway, wondering what his parents were doing. They were surrounded by parchment, flipping through and organizing sheet after sheet and occasionally checking something off a list that was floating in the air above them. If Harry wasn't so confused, he would have taken time to be impressed at how his parents moved so well around each other, not once bumping or stumbling as they continuously shuffled around. He cleared his throat, smiling when they looked up and immediately started clearing off part of the table so they could sit.

"What's going on?" He asked, heading for a chair across from Sirius as Remus started making tea, "What are you two doing?"

"Getting ready for my trial as well as getting documents organized for yours and Hermione's adoptions." Sirius said, smiling.

Remus came back to the table, carrying three cups and setting them down on the table, "Now, Harry. What do you know about Magical Inheritances?"

Harry's brow furrowed, "What's that?"

"Nothing I take it." Sirius chuckled.

Remus looked at the green eyed teen, "When a Witch or Wizard reaches the age of 16 they receive what's known as a Magical Inheritance. To most, all a Magical Inheritance is, is a boost of power, or an affinity to a certain subject of Magic. Your new power takes some getting used to which is part of the reason you come of age when you are 17. You have at least one year, if not two, at Hogwarts to train yourself and your powers."

Harry sighed, "I'm anything but normal so I'm guessing you're going to tell me what's going to happen." He paused as the two adults smirked and nodded, "What do you mean a subject of Magic? Like Potions or Defense?"

Remus knew Harry was just unconsciously stalling the inevitable but, as he was already planning to explain it anyway, decided to humor him, "Somewhat." He got up to sit next to his son, "Magic," He paused to write the word in the air with his wand, "As we know it, is simply a combination of two, more powerful, subjects called," He once again brought his wand up, writing the words above Magic as he said them, "Magick and Alchemy."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Magick and Magic? What's the difference? And who was the genius to come up with that one?"

Sirius laughed loudly, "That's what I asked too."

Remus smiled, "Magick," He said pointing to the word, "Is not capable of what muggles like to call "miracles". It can't violate the laws of the universe; it can only cause in any object any change of which that object is already capable of doing by nature. For example, Transfiguration is a Magic. When you turn a chair into a pig, it violates the laws of the universe. It shouldn't be possible, but it is. And it's made possible because of Alchemy. Alchemy is combining the elements of chemistry, metallurgy (the science and technology of metals), physics, medicine, Mysticism, and art all as part of one greater force. Your wand is, essentially, Alchemy. It has a certain core and a specific wood that calls to your Magickal core so you can channel your Magick and make the impossible possible." He paused, waiting for Harry to indicate he understood before he continued, "Magic is more complex but, by combining the two the way the wizarding world does, it is weaker then the two that make it. In ancient times, before there were wands, Wizards and Witches used Alchemy circles, which is where art comes in, to make Magic more powerful but it is extremely inconvenient to have to stop whatever it is you are doing, spend five minutes, at the least, drawing and then having to make sure the circle is correct... well. You get my point."

"Okay." Harry said, scratching his head, "I think I understand. What exactly are Alchemy circles?"

Sirius took up the explanation, "Everything has Magick. Everything has the potential to be something else." He picked up his empty teacup, "For example. This teacup is made of ceramic. Therefore, it has the potential to be anything and everything made of ceramic, it just happens to be in the shape of a teacup. Alchemy circles take that potential, enhances it and makes it possible for you to make it anything you want it to be. But when you mix the Magick that we possess inside and perform a circle, you make Magic; so you can change it to anything, regardless of what chemicals it possesses or laws of physics. Like this," He then picked up a marker that was sitting by and started drawing an Alchemy circle on the cup. When he was finished, he pressed his finger to the circle, centering his Magick on that spot, and watched as the cup turned into a blue bird and flew out the window.

Harry's eyes widened, "Whoa."

"Exactly." Sirius chuckled, "However, if a muggle were to attempt an Alchemy circle, they wouldn't be able to change the chemical make-up of the thing they were trying to change. They would simply end up with something else made of the exact thing the original object was made of because they don't possess Magick. Do you understand?"

"I think so." Harry sighed, feeling a headache coming on, "But what does this have to do with me?"

Remus cleared his throat, "Old wizarding families, purebloods if you will, tend to have more power then the newer ones. Its part of the reason so many purebloods join Voldemort in the first place. What they don't realize, however, is that if we were to excommunicate everyone but the purebloods from the wizarding world, we would all die out extremely fast." He took a breath, "The Potters are an extremely old family, Harry, and a very powerful one at that. When James came into his Inheritance, he became what is called an Elemental. In simple terms, the Magick in him decided it loved one of the elements and therefore made a bond. This enabled him to control said element at will and without a wand. To balance that out, however, his body made a preserve of Magick and evolved it to Magic so that he no longer needed a wand. The Alchemic properties he needed was all in his head, all he had to do was think about what he wanted to happen and his body and his Magick would do the rest. It makes Magic... extremely powerful."

"So," Harry started, trying to take it all in, "His Magick pretty much decided it was sick of a wand?"

Sirius's expression cleared for a minute, "If you want to put it that way, yes. You'll understand more after your birthday, trust me."

Harry nodded, past the point of arguing, "You're from an old wizarding family, aren't you, Daddy?"

Sirius smiled, "Very good." He brought his hands up and cupped them in front of his face. Harry blinked as he felt the air around him become dryer then widened his eyes as he saw water filling up the cupped hands. Sirius smirked mischievously and jerked his hands up, laughing when his son sputtered as the water hit his face. Stopping Harry from wiping his face off, he concentrated and smiled as the water appeared to evaporate. Harry's eyes widened and he ran a hand down his now dry face,

"How did you do that?" He asked in wonder.

Sirius smiled, "Water has the ability to evaporate, yes?" He waited until Harry nodded, "I just… encouraged it a bit. Just like I encouraged the hydrogen and oxygen particles in the air to become one and change into water." He snapped his fingers and watched as the Remus's previously empty cup filled with water.

"I'm gonna be able to do that?" Harry asked excitedly.

Remus and Sirius exchanged glances, "We don't know." Remus said, "No one ever knows what powers which person is going to get but we're pretty sure you are. That's why we're explaining everything to you now. The Potter line is filled with Fire Elementals, and we think you'll Inherit that bit of power. But the way adoption works in the wizarding world, you may Inherit mine and Daddy's powers as well."

"What do you mean, the way adoption works? Why would I Inherit you powers? And what powers do you have, Papa?" He asked, confused.

Remus winked and pointed to the plant by the window. Harry's eyes lit up when he saw the dead plant come back to life and bloom at an accelerated pace. He turned back to face Remus,

"So you can control Earth? I didn't know the Lupins were an old family."

Remus nodded, "We are. Most people don't acknowledge it because everyone is gone except me and I'm a "Dark Creature". Which is why all the money in the Lupin accounts at Gringotts are frozen."

Harry frowned, "That's not fair."

Sirius agreed, "A lot about the way the Ministry is running things isn't fair, Bear. We're hoping to change things soon but for now, it's just the way things are."

"As to your other question," Remus continued, "Wizarding adoptions are different because it's not just on paper. The child being adopted drinks a potion that literally adds to the biological make-up of your body. You may change the way you look, not drastically mind you, but just enough. For example, Daddy's skin used to be extremely pale, the normal hue of Black genetics, just like Andromeda's. Almost sickly looking." At this point he smirked at a glaring Sirius but continued, "When your grandparents adopted him, his skin lost the sick look and started to look healthier. He also gained the ability to tan, something that was completely impossible before then. If you don't know the person well, you don't notice the difference."

Harry was surprised, "You were adopted? When?"

Sirius sighed, "When I ran away from home, I was in a bad shape, and my mother was doing everything in her power to make sure I stayed that way. You grandparents, who were like parents to me by that point anyway, adopted me so my mother had no say in what I was doing or what was going on in my life. Of course, the stupid woman forgot to actually disown me on any sort of document so I got everything belonging to the Blacks. Anyway, when I was sent to Azkaban, Fudge ordered the adoption papers to be vetoed and destroyed. So I may now possess the Potter genes but I'm not technically your uncle, your grandparent's son or your father's brother. Understand?"

Harry nodded, "The Ministry really screwed you over didn't they."

Sirius smirked bitterly, "Yes they did. Which is why, once I'm cleared (which will be very quickly) I'm going to tell them to annul that stupid werewolf law stating that they can't be married and let me and Remus adopt you and Hermione without a fuss and with a hurry or I'll be suing all their arses before they can say 'justice'."

Harry snickered, "You're blackmailing the Ministry? That's brilliant."

Remus grinned, "Yes well. Do you understand now how the adoption works? Are you still wanting this?"

"Yes." Harry nodded vigorously.

Sirius smiled softly, "Good." He glanced at his watch. "Wow. It's noon already. We should get the kids here for lunch." He waved his wand at the parchments and banished them to his room. "What would you like to eat, baby boy?"

Harry shrugged, "Anything is good. If you two don't need wands, then why do you use them still?"

Remus explained while Sirius headed upstairs to get the teenagers, "We have to. Well, I choose to. The Ministry doesn't take kindly to the fact that I'm an Elemental werewolf and, while they can't do anything about it, I'd like to avoid more confrontation then what I already face. Daddy, however, is only beginning to retrain his Magic. He'll stop using his wand soon enough. Meanwhile, it's a bit too dangerous to go wandless since you lot are in the house and his Magic went wild while left untrained in Azkaban."

Harry shook his head, "Stupid Ministry."

Remus smirked, "Indeed."

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Around 9 o'clock in the evening and, after giving Harry his potion, Remus and Sirius were heading to bed.

"Are you nervous?" Remus asked, already knowing the answer, as he changed into his pajamas. "Big day tomorrow."

Sirius shrugged, sliding into his side of the bed, "No reason to be nervous."

Remus smirked while he joined him, "But you are nervous." He replied, taking Sirius into his arms.

"Yes." Sirius sighed and tucked his head into his husband's neck, "I'm nervous."

Remus kissed him softly, trying to reassure him, "Everything will be okay. You'll see. I think, for once, everything will go our way."

Sirius looked at him then kissed him back a bit more passionately, "I love you." He whispered into the blonde's mouth, "Love me?"

Remus rolled on top of him, savoring the answering soft moan, "Always."

And after making love to his mate, while they were sweaty and sticky and cuddling deliciously against each other, Remus truly believed that everything would go according to plan tomorrow.

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A/N: -tentatively comes out of her hiding hole- Um… Hi? Okay, please don't kill me. I know it's been a year since I've updated this but…. Yeah, I have no excuses. I lost inspiration for it for a really long while and have just recently gotten my spark back. I'll be trying to update often but we'll see : ) I really love you all for still adding me to your favorites and story alerts and such even though I went into hibernation for awhile.

On another note: OHMYGOD! … That's as close to smut as I have ever gotten. And to post it too! I'm so shameless. XD I blushed furiously while writing this because, while I have written riskier things before, I've never posted something like this. –giggles immaturely—

PLEASE REVIEW! Clicky on the pretty green letters please!