A/N: In the books, Arcturus Black is listed as dying in 1991 (2011 in my story). I changed this because if he was Lord Black (which it looks like he would have been), then he needs to die for Sirius to take the title. I wanted that to happen sooner rather than later.

7 July 2002

Andromeda pulled out a quill and parchment, carefully laying them out in front of herself. "Right, let's get started," she began, turning to Frank and Ted. "There are several things that we need to address. First, clearing Sirius's name. Frank?"

Frank cleared his throat and began, "Since all the evidence is circumstantial, it really shouldn't be a problem to clear his name. Unfortunately, Dumbledore has turned on Sirius, and has stated, in front of the Wizengamont no less, that Sirius was the Potter's secret keeper. With Dumbledore's testimony and Sirius being a Black, it is doubtful anyone would listen to him. While I can testify as to his role in the attack on November 1st, I fear it won't be enough."

"What about veritaserum and pensive memories?" questioned Ted.

"Useless, I'm afraid. While it would work on Sirius, Dumbledore has implied in the past that he can lie under veritaserum," Frank sighed, "As for pensive memories, both Dumbledore and Sirius are highly skilled in occlumency. They would both likely have the ability to fake memories."

"Dumbledore said he can lie under veritaserum?" asked Andy, distressed at the news.

"I believe so. When James and I questioned him about how he could protect the knowledge of the prophecy, he merely assured us that 'even veritaserum could not make me spill what I did not want to share.'"

Andy frowned, she had never heard of someone lying under veritaserum before. Giving false evidence because that was what the witness truly believed, yes. Outright lies, no. But if he could, they couldn't take the chance. If the wizengamont heard two conflicting testimonies under veritaserum, they would merely assume Sirius had found some dark magic to overcome it.

"What about Pettigrew?" piped in Ted. "If he were questioned as well, then it would be Sirius and Pettigrew's word against Dumbledore. Surely then they would clear Sirius."

Frank sighed again. There really was no good way to break the news. "Pettigrew is missing, believed dead since mid November. It was kept quiet, but blamed on Sirius. Besides, they would never agree to question Pettigrew under veritaserum. Between Dumbledore and the former Death Eaters, they would want Sirius to found guilty."

"So that they could take control of Harry," Andy added, seeing Ted's confusion. "With the rest of the Potter family being dead, Harry's closest wizarding relatives are the Blacks. If Sirius is in jail…" she trailed off nervously.

"The Malfoy's, via Narcissa, would have a legitimate claim for custody," Frank finished. "We cannot let that happen. It might even be worse than Petunia raising him."

"So then what?" asked Ted.

"We discredit Dumbledore. Air his dirty laundry. We amass power in Wizengamont, behind the scenes, and then pounce all at once. We prove Pettigrew is a Death Eater, have him admit to being the secret keeper. Only once that information is out there do we move to clear Sirius."

"Gain power in the Wizengamont," began Frank, "but the only power we have is the Longbottom seat. Dumbledore has seized control of the Potter seat, stating it is imperative that Sirius does not have that power." Andy grinned, knowingly. "You have a plan, don't you?"

"Yes. The Black alliance." Frank and Ted frowned in confusion. Not only was the Black alliance historically dark, but Sirius was no longer the heir. "I looked into this earlier in the week. It turns out Arcturus never formally disowned Sirius. When he dies, which I believe will be soon, Sirius will take over as Lord Black. Without revealing who the new Lord Black is, we can seize control of the Black alliance. They won't question anything until it is too late."

"Bloody hell," muttered Frank, "you want to use their own political power against them."

"I do."

"Sirius will hate you for this. The last thing he wants to be is Lord Black."

1 Aug 2002

"You," Sirius shouted, "have a lot to explain, Andromeda Tonks!"

Andy cringed as a highly irate Sirius entered her office. She had been surprised he had not exploded at her when he found out about everything at the party. Not that it made his current state of anger any less frightening. When Sirius was mad, truly and genuinely mad, he was every bit a Black.

"My son was a horocrux, A HOROCRUX, and you did not tell me. Not only that, but you performed and ancient and UNKNOWN ritual on him! Yes, Aletha spilled everything last night. I might have been calm last night, but know I know everything. And I am MAD!"

Andy felt Sirius's words sting. She stood by her and Aletha's decision to not tell him, she would make it again, but it didn't make his words hurt any less. If it had been Nymphodora… She shuddered at the thought.

Seeing the look on Andy's face, Sirius calmed slightly. "Now," he threatened, "tell me everything you know about Voldemort's horocruxes. As in plural."

Andy sighed, there was no good way to do this. "When Aletha and I removed the soul fragment from Harry's scar, I noticed it appeared a lot smaller and weaker than what the books lead me to expect. Add that to the fact that it was clearly an accidental horocrux- they require an extended ritual after the killing to make- then he must have made more."

"Only an unstable soul would have split accidentally. Even if he was planning on it," Sirius whispered, his mind focusing and anger subsiding. "I also doubt he would have waited until that night to make one if he was planning on it."

"Agreed. The question is, how many did he make? When did he make them? Where are they? And how can we find and destroy them?"

Sirius thought for moment. "Either two or six would be my guess. Three and seen are magically powerful numbers. And we look for them in the possession of inner circle members."

"That makes sense. And I know you never wanted to be Lord Black," she held up her hand as he began to protest, "but we will need that power to find the horocruxes and destroy them. To prove your innocence and protect Harry and Lyra. Don't tell me you would put them in danger and let Voldemort come back simply because you hate your family. Don't. I know it would be a lie."

"Your right," replied Sirius softly, "It's just, I spent my entire life avoiding all that. Avoiding the role of the heir. I was actually relieved in a way, when I was blasted off the tree because it meant I could avoid all of it. All the hatred, bigotry, and anger."

"You could change that," Andy said, placing her hand of Sirius's. She knew how much he had suffered in Grimmauld Place. He had suffered far more than she had. "You can turn the family around. Change what they believe. After all, your heir will be a half-blood."

Sirius smiled. "Yeah, I can do that. The white sheep of the Black family." After a moment, he added, "I could reinstate you into the family. You always were my favorite cousin."

"I would like that," Andy responded, a small amount of longing filling her heart. She would never regret her decision to marry Ted, but unlike Sirius, her relationship with the family and always been mixed. In with the bad there were plenty of moments of good. Part of her would always be a Black. And, with Sirius in charge, that could be something to be proud of again.

18 Sept 2002

"I now call the first meeting of Operation Disgrace Dumbledorks into session!" called Sirius from the head of the table. Gathered around were Andy, Frank, Amelia, Alastor, and Ted.

"Stupid name, Black," grumbled Moody as he pulled out his flask and took a swig.

"Still don't trust me enough to have some tea?" Frank asked with a fake pout.

"Firewhiskey, yes. Tea, no."

"Maybe after," responded Frank quietly with a conspiratorial wink.

"Regardless of the name," cut in an exasperated Amelia, "can we get on with the meeting?"

"Right, first order of business," began Sirius, "we need to start undermining the blind faith everyone has in Dumbledork."

"That's where Alice and I come in," responded Frank. "We start letting people know that Bellatrix and her crew made it through the wards unnaturally fast. They clearly knew where the ward stones were and were told how to overload the wards."

"And how does that help?" grumbled Moody.

"The only people who knew where the ward stone is are Alice, Augusta, Dumbledore, the goblins, and I."

Amelia gasped, "Do you really think he told them?" she asked, clearly disturbed.

"I honestly don't know," sighed Frank. "A year ago I would have said absolutely not, but after everything he has done regarding Harry and Sirius, I'm not so sure anymore. Besides, whether he did or not doesn't matter."

Moody piped in, "Nobody would dare blame Augusta, she loves her son far to much. And to accuse the goblins…"

"Would be to commit suicide," finished Amelia. "Very well, I can see how that would start rumors."

"How are you going to spread this without alerting the meddling old coot?" inquired Moody.

"Simple," smiled Frank, "I comment about it to Moody where Lucius can overhear. He won't hesitate to spread the information around the ministry."

"And telling me about it won't seem too odd."

"Right. As for Alice, she was going to mention how she was concerned about the safety of the manor and how she wanted to change the wards during her monthly tea."

Ted and Sirius looked at him in confusion, while Amelia nodded.

"Mrs. Brown will be there," added Frank, "she is an awful gossip."

"Any other question? Or should we move on to the next piece of information that should help destroy Dumbledore's reputation?" Andy asked.

After every one shook their heads in the negative, Amelia asked, "And would that be?"

"We talk to Bathilda Bagshot," replied Andy. "Great Aunt Cassiopeia always said she had dirt on Dumbledore thanks to Bagshot. We need to find out what."

"Indiscretions in his youth, she told me. Cassiopeia's secrets were one of the few redeeming qualities of Black family reunions," Sirius added.

"Indiscretions?" questioned Ted, "Of a legal kind?"

Sirius smirked, "Of a more personal kind. One might even say romantic."

"What's so important about that?" asked Moody. "Youthful love for a man over one hundred years old is hardly something to gossip about."

"It's more about the who. Cassiopeia indicated that Dumbledore might be into other wizards."

"While that isn't something Dumbledore wants up shouting about, it is hardly surprising, or probably even that much of a secret," interrupted Ted.

"And being queer isn't even that frowned upon," added Frank.

Swatting Sirius on the back of the head, Andy piped in, "I do believe Sirius is leading you on. The more important thing is the identity of the wizard. Cassiopeia claims it was Gellert Grindewald."

Moody, Frank, Ted, and Amelia stared.

"The Grindewald?" sputtered Frank.

"Yup!" smiled Sirius.

"Of course, we need to check. While a rumor would be bad, proven fact would be worse," reminded Andy.

"Right. So check with Bagshot on the identity of Dumbledore's young lover." Amelia shivered. "Anything else?"

"That's all for now," finished Sirius with a smile. "Once old Arcturus kicks the bucket we can use the Black seat to cause him some more problems. But for now it is just the ward stone and youthful indiscretions."

1 Nov 2002

Sirius slammed the newspaper onto the table in anger. "THAT BASTARD!" he yelled, causing Lyra to cry.

"Sirius Orion Black! You will not use that language in front of the children!" admonished Aletha from across the table, as she reached over to comfort Lyra.

"Sorry, Aletha," mumbled Sirius, "but you really need to read this," he said handing her the morning's paper.

Aletha picked it up, and laid it out neatly in front of her. Front and center was a giant picture of Dumbledore standing over James and Lily's graves. "That bastard," she whispered as she began to read.

One Year Since the Fall of You-Know-Who:

Dumbledore Holds Moment of Silence

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the fall of You-know-who. While the wizarding world celebrated a year of freedom, Dumbledore led a moment of silence at the Potter's gravesite in Godric's Hollow. Standing in front of the graves, he turned to the crowd of wizards and spoke, reminding everyone of the young couple who gave their lives so we could be free. In his speech, he also reminded everyone that their son, the Boy-Who-Lives, Harry James Potter, was still in the possession of the infamous Sirius Black. He asked, that while we celebrate, we remember the little boy who is still suffering. "I only hope we find Harry before it is too late," remarked Dumbledore. "To think that the boy who survived the killing curse at the hands of You-know-who now must suffer under his second in command is unthinkable."

We here at the Daily Prophet agree with Dumbledore, and remind the wizarding world to stay vigilant. Black is still out there, armed and dangerous. If anyone sees him, they should immediately alert the Aurors, so action can be taken. Severus Snape, former school mate of Potter and Black, stated, "I never trusted Black. He was from a family of dark wizards, and while he tried to pretend to be on the side of the light, I never believed. For instance, back in sixth year, he tried to kill me and was let off with only detention." Us at the Daily Prophet can only imagine what heartache and despair would have been avoided had Black been expelled and sent to Azkaban the first time he tried to kill.

"Bloody hell," muttered Aletha. "The nerve of those two! They are the guilty ones, not you! They should be sent to Azkaban."

Sirius held his head in his hand, "why did he have to bring up that incident?" he groaned, thinking back sixth year. He really hadn't been trying to kill Snape, hell, he knew Snape was aware Remus was a werewolf. Snape had gone into the passageway in order to get Remus killed. Dumbledore had known that. That's why he wasn't expelled.

Aletha laid her hand on Sirius's, and rubbed his fingers. "I'm so sorry Siri, I know the truth of that story. I know you aren't a murderer."

"It doesn't matter," responded Sirius, "This will only add to my guilt in the eyes of the public." Pulling his hand away, he turned from the table, heading into their room. This day was bad enough without that blasted article.