Chapter 14:

A/N: Hey! I'm back. So fanfiction had some sort of problem and it wouldn't let me upload quickly so the last chapter was a bit delayed! And I'm so so so sorry I haven't uploaded in a while! Real Life is tough I'll tell you that! Anyway enjoy!

Okay now I'd loooove to reply to all of you one by one but the thing is that would take ages and I want to post this chapter as fast as I can for you guys so I'll be quick:

A special, enormous, humongous thanks to SilentAqua, ludwiggystardust, Universal creature, Niknakkitkat, hechosenbibliophile and MetallicGirl for supporting, reviewing and generally being awesome. You guys rock!

And of course I'm eternally grateful to all the people who took the time to favorite and follow this story or me and please leave a review to let me know your opinions etc. without further ado let's go!

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me. Only the storyline is mine.

Sirius let out a discreet sigh and rested his hands on the desk in a steeple position, "The case is rather private… I hope I can fully trust you?" it wasn't a question. It was more like an underlying threat that Mr. Eldrich immediately recognized, "Of course, Lord Black. You have my word. Now may we continue?" he prodded.

Sirius gave a curt nod and started to speak, "My charges are against the Dursley family residing at Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. I want to place charges of child abuse and endangerment against a magical minor. The suspects can be contained at the Ministry or placed under House Arrest. I place these charged on behalf of –" Sirius took in a deep breath, ready to drop a bombshell, "on behalf of Harry James Potter, my godson"

Mr. Eldrich's eyebrows shot up and he almost dropped the quill he was using to record the charges, "Mr. Harry James Potter? The Boy-Who-Lived?" he asked aghast, "Are-are you sure Lord Black? This can inflate into a huge publicity scandal and I doubt you would like that" he said cautiously. Sirius closed his eyes for a second before answering, "I know, but I swear on my magic, everything that I have said is true and I want these people put to justice" he said firmly.

Mr. Eldrich nodded slowly, "As you wish. I'll need all the proof I can get, Lord Black. Do you want this in the muggle or magical court?" Sirius thought for a moment, "Magical. I want to show some memories as well" he answered confidently, "If you don't mind Mr. Eldrich, I must be leaving now. My godson is probably waiting"

Mr. Eldrich gave him a shrewd smile, "Ah yes, I heard you recently acquired guardianship of the young man. Well, I'll carry out these charges." Mr. Eldrich made to turn away before continuing, "A word of advice though, Lord Black, I know you're not fond of your Black Heritage but I think you'll need the Slytherin side of you to win this case. It's not shameful to be sneaky and cunning. Just a word of advice" He said wisely.

Sirius did not know what to make of his words and gave him a polite nod before briskly exiting the room the words of the old Solicitor echoing in his ears the whole way…

….

Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were happily munching on sandwiches and poring over a Quidditch magazine they had acquired. None of them noticed the small pop that meant that Sirius was back. Sirius made his way over to his Godson's room, pausing a bit to listen in to their boyish conversation.

"And that's the Wronski Feint, Mate! See that Polish player doing it! I bet you could do that too!"

"It's going to take a lot of practice. I've never done it before!"

"Sure you have! Remember first year? When you went after Neville's Remeberball?"

"Riiiiight"

Sirius chose that moment to interrupt and knocked softly on the door. Presently he heard Harry call out, "Sirius? Is that you?" and made out the rustling of paper, meaning Ron was flipping through the magazine again.

"Yes, it's me, Harry. Can you come out for a moment, I have to talk to you" Sirius answered back. Harry threw a quizzical glance at the closed door and gave an apologetic look to Ron before getting up and meeting Sirius on the other side of the door. Harry smiled up at his godfather and willingly let him usher him to the study.

Once inside the old, wood-paneled room Sirius quickly sat down on an armchair, pulling Harry down into another, "I have to tell you a few things, Harry" Sirius started somberly, noticing his godson's questioning looks. Taking a deep breath, Sirius started to tell Harry about the morning's happenings.

"I went over to the Dursleys today, Harry, needless to say they weren't pleased. Don't worry, I didn't murder them or anything!" he hastily added as he saw Harry's panicked look, "But they do look a bit… different. You have to understand, pup, what they did to you was wrong and they have to be punished for it" he pleaded.

Harry bit his lip before answering quietly, "But all of that's in the past. I'm okay now. I'm with you now. What they did shouldn't matter" he turned his emerald green eyes away from Sirius' incredulous stare. Everything was going so well. He felt so… comfortable… with Sirius… just like a parent. All these stupid things shouldn't be getting in the way.

Sirius placed a gentle hand on his shoulders, "Harry, look at me" he ordered and waited patiently until Harry worked up the courage to look him in the eye, "It does matter Harry. I know you probably won't like it but I've filed a case at the wizarding court. It's going to be hard, but I won't let them make you do anything you don't want to, pup, I'll be with you all the way" he stated, nervously awaiting Harry's reaction.

"You WHAT! A case? Why? I don't need one! Oh god, what do I have to do? What if we lose?" Harry broke out in a frenzy, eyes wild and scared. Sirius silently cursed himself. He had never been good at breaking the news gently. He firmly placed his other hand on Harry's shoulder and gently shook him, "Hey! Don't worry, kiddo, I'm here. I'll make sure that all you have to do is provide a few memories and testify the charges" he crooned softly, watching as Harry visibly calmed down and looked at him quizzically.

"Give my memories? They're going to obliviate me?" he asked warily. Sirius let out a deep rumbling chuckle, "No, silly, you have to place them in a device called a Penseive so that other people can see them" he explained, "Never mind that, I'll show you a Penseive later. For now, I had another thing to discuss with you" Sirius' tone became grim.

"The full moon is tonight. I'm going to ask Molly if she had any problem taking you in for the night since I'll be with Moony, but, I just wanted to ask, would you rather have me stay? I can do that if you want" he offered.

Harry shook his head resolutely, "No, it's fine. Remus needs you more. Take care of him, won't you?" Harry asked pleadingly. Sirius gave him a fond look and pulled him into a hug, marveling at how compassionate the young boy was, "I'll take care of old Moony, don't you worry, pup" he promised before standing up and dusting himself down, "I'd better go and floo Molly. Why don't you go up to your room? Ron must be waiting" Harry gave him a quick smile and walked towards the study door but stopped short and turned when Sirius called out to him again.

"Harry wait, I know you didn't like the way I went behind your back and filed that case, but I hope you can forgive me. You need justice" Sirius said. Harry looked at his shoes before turning back to Sirius and giving him a weak smile, "I was a bit mad" he admitted, "But I guess it's okay" he finished awkwardly before turning on his heel and rushing away.

Back up in his room, Ron had monopolized the bed and was swinging his legs in the air while lying on his stomach. Upon seeing Harry he gave him a bright smile and scooched over giving Harry enough space to sit, "Is there any more interesting stuff in that?" Harry asked conversationally pointing at the magazine. Ron nodded and passionately began to explain the different formations, techniques and distractions the players used. Harry zoned out as Ron almost created a miniature hurricane by flipping the pages too fast and began daydreaming about how the trial could go. To be honest, he was dead scared that Uncle Vernon would dig up some old proof and prove Harry to be a silly, attention seeking brat. Ron's indignant voice snapped him out of his nightmares.

"Mate, are you listening? We should owl this to the new Quidditch captain with a few notes, we'll definitely cement Gryffindor's win next year" Ron's eyes shone in delight and anticipation making Harry chuckle, "You do that." Harry teased. Ron let out a short laugh before titling his head to one side and staring at Harry, "What did Sirius want to say to you?" he asked tactlessly. Harry forced down the nervous feeling in his stomach, "Oh, nothing special" he lied easily, "He er… he said that I could stay over at the Burrow tonight" Harry crossed his fingers hoping that Ron would buy it and fortunately he did.

"Wicked!" Ron laughed, finally flipping the magazine close and placing it on the bedside table, "Do you have anything to eat? I'm hungry" he said. Harry smiled at his friend's endless hunger and called out for Voory who appeared instantly, startling Ron.

"Young Master be wanting something?" he asked, his huge eyes almost falling out in eagerness. Harry smiled awkwardly, "Would you mind sending a small plate of uh… say… sausage rolls up here?" he asked kindly. Voory nodded solemnly and snapped his fingers and a tray of buttery, delicious looking sausage rolls appeared on the bed accompanied by a pitcher of pumpkin juice. With a final bow, Voory quickly popped away, leaving Ron drooling in delight.

Between the two teenage boys, the rolls didn't last long and soon Sirius popped his head in and smiled at their content faces, "I see you're fed and watered" he said good – naturedly before turning his gaze to Ron, "Your mother just flooed, Ronald, she wants you back in half an hour and she agreed to have you over Harry" he informed, "Why don't you pack a small overnight bag and I'll floo you over when you're done?"

Harry nodded and gave Sirius a grateful look to which he responded with a wink. In the next half – hour the two boys tried to stuff as many Quidditch magazines as was humanely possible in the small cream duffel overnight bag and at the last moment Harry hastily took a few out when he realized he had forgotten to take a change of clothes.

Finally they were ready and set off to the 'Reception' where Sirius was waiting for them. Ron gave him a grin and tossed a handful of the powder in before being engulfed in the flames. Harry waited for a while before stepping forward and giving Sirius a small hug, "Take care" he whispered uncertainly. Sirius just placed a soft kiss on his messy mop and pushed him into the fireplace, "I will" he promised and gave his godson a final wave as he disappeared from sight.

….

A few hours later Sirius quietly entered the airy reinforced basement at the Crescent Cottage and received a weak smile from Remus who was breathing heavily from his place on the floor.

"Did you take your final goblet of Wolfsbane?" Sirius asked quietly from the doorway. Remus let out a growl as his werewolf mind fought for dominance before nodding an affirmative. Suddenly he blanched and turned to Sirius, face contorted in pain, "Transform now" he rasped out and squeezed his eyes shut. Sirius gave him a woeful look before obeying and smoothly transforming into Padfoot, wishing for the thousandth time that Remus' transformation could be this painless.

Padfoot turned to look out the high windows and gave mournful howl as he saw the moon rising, bathing the whole scenery in silver. Remus gave an anguished cry and doubled over. He could feel his face lengthen and become a muzzle. He felt his bones breaking and reforming into strengthened lupine bones. He felt his teeth and nails, no, claws elongate and finally felt the werewolf mind probing and begging his human mind to lie down and let it dominate. Fortunately the Wolfsbane helped counter that and moments later, a strong albeit rather scarred and sleepy wolf trudged over and gave the dog a soft prod, whining for companionship. Padfoot happily obliged and playfully snapped at his face and tackled him, making sure to remain submissive to please Moony's wolf instinct.

The two wrestled for quite a while before the wolf extracted himself from the melee and sleepily trudged over to the darkest corner to get a good night's sleep. Padfoot sat on his haunches for a few minutes before he heard Moony's soft even breathing and went to lie down in front of the door and sleeping fitfully with an ear cocked for any signs of discomfort ready to jump to his friends help at a moment's notice.

….

At the Burrow, Harry stared at the exact same moon that shone through the high windows of the contained basement at Crescent Cottage. He let out huge sigh before turning over and facing Ron, who had fallen asleep a long while ago and was currently drooling. Harry felt his lips quirk in an upward direction but almost immediately his mind travelled back to how Sirius and Remus were doing.

The only time he'd ever seen Remus' transformation was back in third year and, although he had been scared out of his wits, he had noticed how painful the transformation actually was. He knew the Wolfsbane Potion tempered it down but still…

Harry turned over yet again and faced the window and the bright moonlight. There's no use in worrying, he thought morosely as he closed his eyes and tried to get to sleep, and anyway, Sirius has been doing it since he was a student. He's definitely used to it by now. No need to worry…

Right?