Souls Abound

Disclaimer: JKR still owns Harry Potter. I write purely for fun and post it here so you can read it for free, anyone wishing professional standards of writing should go and buy one of her books. (POA is my favourite!)

Chapter 14

The golden stag had disappeared the instant Remus's stunner hit the dog, now Harry's temper was flaring to match that of his professor's. "He's trying to take my new family away too. Not this time, I won't let anyone harm them."

Hermione's hand was placed gently on his shoulder, offering support but holding him back at the same time while her voice advised caution. "Harry, that's impossible. The wards would prevent it."

Her words were like a bucket of iced water on his flaming temper. If Hermione was trying to tell him something, it was time to listen. His betrothed continued to explain her thoughts, "The wards that protect the property won't let anything through that means any of us harm. Do you honestly think the goblins wouldn't have thought of animagus?"

Reus wasn't so easily convinced, "Why else would he be here?"

Hermione shook her head, "I have no idea, is there any way to change him back and ask him? Both you and Harry have questions that you need answers to, well here's your chance. There's enough wands here to make sure he doesn't escape, especially if he's tied up before you revive him. When you're finished questioning him, we can dump him on the ministry."

Even as angry as he was, Remus could see the sense in her words. He called on Dobby and asked the little guy to create a strong chair and chains to hold a prisoner, if Sirius made a move on Harry in Dobby's presence then there would only be one winner. Watching Harry's memory of the little guy dumping an enraged Lucius Malfoy onto his arse was compulsive viewing as far as the marauder was convinced.

Dan and Emma had also appeared to see what was going on, as Remus removed the ropes and changed the dog into a man, Dan headed into the house while Dobby restrained Sirius. Dan soon returned with a three iron and stood ready to brain the dark haired wizard, Remus could see Harry had found another protector.

Remus had quickly removed the wand Sirius must have stolen and couldn't see any way out of this for his former friend. Still, he'd got out of Azkaban so it paid to be careful. "Ok, he's been disarmed and restrained. I'm about to revive him so everyone stay alert." Remus wasn't sure who looked scarier, Dobby or Dan? Both appeared ready to attack if Sirius as much as twitched.

Sirius awoke to find himself once more in human form, that didn't bother him too much. The chains and stares of utter loathing he could defiantly have done without. He managed to croak out 'Harry!' before Remus abruptly cut him off.

"Don't you dare even speak his name, you gave up that right twelve years ago. All we want is to find out why you betrayed James and Lily, then we'll be handing your sorry arse over to the aurors."

Sirius thought Remus was being very reasonable, had the positions been reversed he was sure there would have been curses flying before now. "Fair enough Remus, you'll find something in my pocket that will answer most of your questions."

Hermione moved forward to retrieve the object but Remus stopped her. "That seems too glib an answer. If you're trying to pull something here Sirius, I swear I'll kill you."

"Remus it's a picture of Harry, this lovely young lady here and the Weasley boy. The one that appeared on the front page of the Prophet."

Emma was moving before she finished talking. "I've got a copy of that inside, I started keeping a scrapbook. I'll be back in a minute."

It took her longer than that but she arrived back with the newly arrived Amelia Bones, the ex-auror had been quickly told what was happening. Amelia decided to let them proceed for now, she also had her wand out though in case it was needed.

Sirius didn't need to see the picture again, he knew every detail of it so well from many hours spent studying his own copy. "Look at the Weasley boy's pocket Remus, all your answers are there."

Emma gave an involuntary shudder, "You mean the rat?"

Remus now almost snatched the picture out of Emma's hand.

Hermione as usual attempted to explain. "Oh that's just Scabbers, Ron's pet. I already told him mum's terrified of rats so he doesn't bring the thing here." Once again all eyes were on Hermione, though this time they were looking for more information. "The rat used to belong to Percy, he had it for years before handing it over to Ron. I can't be more specific with times and Ron took Scabbers on holiday with him to Egypt."

Sirius nodded in understanding, "I'd bet the Black fortune that it was about twelve years ago, making Scabbers uncommonly long lived for an ordinary rat. Look carefully at the front paw Remus, notice the missing toe? That was the clincher for me, I watched as the little bastard cut off his own finger." This produced some gasps at that bloody deed from those listening, Sirius misunderstood and offered an apology. "I'm sorry for that ladies but the environment I have been residing in for the last twelve years wasn't exactly conducive to making me remember my manners while amongst polite company. I apologise unreservedly."

Dan was still gripping his favourite club but wondering why everything had to be so bloody different in the magical world. Even the escaped mass murderers weren't what he was expecting. This one looked and smelled like a demented vagabond yet spoke and acted more like a gentleman. That the man was also Harry's godfather just confused him even more. Why couldn't magical people do simple and straightforward, was that too much to ask?

Remus was staring at the proof in front of him but fighting against it, accepting this would mean he'd failed his friend for the last twelve years. "If Peter is still alive, why didn't that information come out at your trial?"

Amelia decided to provide the answer to that one. She didn't really want to give Harry another reason for leaving Britain but was appalled that this could have happen at all. "I may be able to help there. I just had a meeting with Fudge, he wanted my help in appeasing Harry. I told him Malfoy's head on a stick would work but the transcript of Sirius Black's trial would be a start. He said that was impossible because Sirius Black never had a trial."

Sirius actually growled, "I was so shocked that little shit Peter got the better of me I just stood there. Next thing I know I was waking up in Azkaban, not questioned, never seen a lawyer and definitely no trial. When I saw in the Prophet that Pettigrew was close to Harry at Hogwarts, I just had to get out of that hellhole to protect him. Peter wasn't getting the last of the Potters while I still drew breath."

Dan had had enough, "When you're all quite finished, do you think you could take the time to explain what the hell is going on here. In English, please?"

Sirius may have been addressing everyone but his eyes never left Harry. "I was not the Potter's secret keeper and could never betray them, we thought we were being so clever in changing to Peter and not telling anyone. We didn't tell you Remus because everyone knew there was a spy amongst us, turns out the rat really was a rat after all. Your friend's rat Scabbers is really an animagus called Peter Pettigrew. After you defeated his master, he went into hiding. Peter knew that if the death eaters didn't kill him then Remus and me would. I thought I had him but he blasted a large hole in the street before escaping down the sewer as a rat. He didn't give a shit about the dozen muggles he killed doing it either, Peter doesn't give a shit about anyone except himself. Again, sorry for the language ladies."

Dan thought he had the gist of it now but wanted to make sure. "Are you saying you were innocent yet they threw you in prison and just left you there? No trial, No charges, not even questioned?"

"Yes sir, that sums it up nicely. Case closed and everyone then got on with their lives while I was left to rot!" Sirius once more focused on Harry. "Your father was like a brother to me Harry, and Remus will tell you we all adored Lily. I've loved you from the moment your father placed you in my arms on the night you were born. The proudest moment of my life was when I was asked to be your godfather, I then let you and them down and will never forgive myself. When Hagrid took you to Dumbledore that night I lost it and let my grief take over. I went seeking revenge when I should have been looking after you."

Harry looked toward Remus for conformation. "I had three friends who all became animagi while still at Hogwarts, Sirius was a dog, Peter was a rat while your dad was exactly like your patronus, a stag. The only thing they found of Peter Pettigrew after his supposed murder was a finger, Scabbers has a missing toe. The Weasleys have been looking after a death eater for over a decade, the man who betrayed your parents."

Emma was forced to ask a question she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer to. Having Harry stay with them had made their home come alive, Emma hated the thought of him perhaps leaving to live with his godfather. "So, what happens now?"

Amelia was trying to work this out and not liking the answers she was coming up with. "In an ideal world, we catch Pettigrew. He stands trial and Sirius goes free but I just don't see that happening."

This upset Hermione's ingrained sense of fairplay and following the rules. "Why not, surly it should be easy to clear Mr Black's name?"

Amelia could understand where the girl was coming from. After all, that was the way things were supposed to work. "Hermione, Peter Pettigrew answering questions under truth serum could see careers ended and some high profile members of our society facing charges they couldn't dodge. I doubt he would even make it to trial, killed while trying to escape solves their problems but doesn't help Sirius. The new head of the DMLE will do anything Fudge says and we all know who he listens to. A great many people could have their lives destroyed by this, catching Peter Pettigrew is the easy bit."

Harry was staring at the man who was his godfather and claimed to love him. Judging by the warmth in his eyes and the fact he broke out of Azkaban to try to protect him, Harry was forced to concede Sirius Black was telling the truth. His godfather really did love him, Harry felt he had to say something. "Can we at least take the bloody chains off him? He's already been locked up twelve years for nothing!"

Remus shook his head as Dobby removed the chains, "Padfoot, you've been back in Harry's life less than an hour and already you're corrupting him." He pulled his friend out of the chair and into a hug. "Good to see you again you old dog, but you need a bath!"

Sirius hugged him back, there was so much they wanted to say to each other but banter came first. The serious stuff, especially what they were going to do to a certain rat, would come later. "What about you? I heard some of these young witches and wizards call you Professor Lupin. Since when did you become respectable?"

Sirius moved to talk to his godson. "Harry, I happen to know a certain someone has a birthday coming up. I have quite a few birthdays and Christmases to make up for, whatever you want is yours for the asking." Sirius noticed Hermione studying him carefully. "Please don't let the clothes fool you Miss, the Blacks are quite a wealthy family. Just because I can't go strolling down Diagon Alley with him doesn't mean I can't get Harry whatever he wants."

Hermione realised what the man was assuming, "Oh no Mr Black, I was just thinking I've never seen anyone more in need of a holiday than you are. Would you care to join us on our trip to France?"

Sirius cringed, "Hermione, please call me Sirius. Mr Black makes me sound so old!"

Dan realised there was a good chance they were about to pick up another stray but felt he had to be the voice of reason here. "Hermione dear, even if Mr Black here travelled with us as a dog, we would still need a passport and current vaccination certificate before the dog could get through customs."

Harry couldn't help but smile at his godfather's comment to his betrothed, the state he was currently in and all Sirius was worried about was feeling old? He also had a solution to the customs problem. "If he was under my dad's cloak it wouldn't matter what form he was in."

Hermione let out a little squeal at that suggestion, "Oh Harry, that's a brilliant idea. If we get stopped by customs, he could sit there and be invisible." His solution earned Harry a kiss on the cheek.

"Ahem, just when were you thinking of telling us you had a cloak that could make you invisible?" Dan asked.

"Oh we've been so busy I just forgot. It's in my room and I'll let you try it later."

The thought of him being able to become invisible totally erased from Dan's mind the objection he was about to raise.

Sirius was watching this and enjoying seeing Harry be so comfortable with these people. He couldn't help but let his mischievous side out to play, it had been forced into hiding for so long. "Hermione, I couldn't quite hear what you said to my godson that had him casting the most powerful patronus I've ever seen. Perhaps you could tell us all?"

Hermione refused to blush, she was very proud of her betrothed. She wrapped her arms around him before answering. "I just told my Harry that I had bought a green bikini for our holidays, which start tomorrow!"

Harry kissed her forehead before lifting his arm and casting it again. Now that he knew his patronus looked like his dad, he really wanted to see it once more. The effect of the golden stag up close was remarkable, they could actually feel the love that Harry had used as his inspiration to cast the spell.

Emma wrapped her arms around her husband, "Don't worry dear, I bought one as well. I don't think it will have quite the same effect on you though!"

Luna looked at Susan holding tighter onto Neville's arm and couldn't help but wish Ron were here. "Is there any point of me saying that I bought one as well?"

Hannah was also looking at her best friend holding on to Neville's arm, she was also thinking that the rest of their summer was going to be very boring when this lot left for France. It was such a pity there wasn't room for another two to tag along, she was sure Susan would agree with that.

Harry was the first one who answered their friend. "Luna, I'm sure both you and Emma will look beautiful at the beach. I don't think I'll be looking anywhere else but at my Hermione though."

Sirius shook his head. "He's on the Quidditch team, betrothed to a beautiful young lady and already smoother with the girls than I ever was. What the hell am I supposed to teach him?"

Remus put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Sirius, you don't know the half of it!"

As the stag faded, Amelia was once more struck by how big a loss Harry Potter not going to Hogwarts would be for the school. "Harry, I came here to tell you about the minister's visit. I didn't expect you to have company. I will say nothing about Sirius being here and will help anyway I can to clear an innocent man's name. I'm sure Susan and Hannah will do the same. Actually, after that visit from Fudge, I'm reconsidering my decision not to let Susan go to school abroad with you. Getting her away from the British ministry seems like a good idea at the moment."

Dan interrupted before Hermione could say anything. "I'm sorry girls, we would love to take you but there just isn't enough room and we leave in the morning."

Amelia could see she'd been misunderstood, "Oh no Dan, I couldn't impose like that. I just meant going to school outside Britain."

To see the girls' expressions turn from hope to crestfallen in the space of seconds was heartbreaking to watch, the two marauders quickly put their heads together as Remus gave Sirius the gist of the problem. Remus decided to offer the solution Sirius came up with since he knew everyone better. "There is an easy way to do this, we simply get a wizarding tent and pitch it beside the RV. Sirius will buy a fully equipped three bedroom one and either the adults or the kids could sleep there."

Dan couldn't keep the distaste from his voice as his inner snob made an increasingly rare appearance, "Camping?"

Remus was laughing at Dan's obvious reluctance, "A wizarding tent is nothing like muggle camping, some of them even have chandeliers inside! It will have as a minimum indoor plumbing and at least three bedrooms. You can get first pick of where you want to stay Dan."

Hermione was now bubbling with excitement at the thought of them all going, "With Dobby there it wouldn't be a problem to shrink anything and he will be doing all the cooking and cleaning anyway."

Dan looked towards his wife for her opinion, an opinion she quickly gave. "We wanted this holiday to be different, if you spend part of it exploring France in an RV, some of it staying in a wizarding tent and then ending up living in Harry's château, I would say that was pretty different! We've had the girls stay before so I'd have no problem with them coming with us. I suppose it's up to Amelia and if they can get packed in time, bearing in mind we would be doing a bit of shopping over there."

Amelia could maybe have coped with just the two pair of eyes on her begging for a yes answer, with their four friends increasing that number to six she was done for. "I agree with Remus, Sirius is back for less than an hour and he's already creating mayhem! It's really good to see you again Sirius and sorry, I never knew you didn't have a trial. I trust you'll help take good care of these girls!"

A very happy Hannah then engulfed Amelia in a hug, the aunt was wondering where her niece was but didn't have to wonder long. A very happy Susan was kissing a stunned Neville. "Ok, I'll get these two home and have them pack, then have a few words with my niece!"

Susan was blushing like mad but didn't care, Neville certainly knew she was interested in him now.

Luna had a quiet word in Hermione's ear, "If I did that to Ron, do you think he would notice me?"

Hermione could only smile at the girl, "Oh I think he's noticed you, now all we have to do is get him interested in having a girlfriend. Neville appears to have got one now."

Emma thought their holiday was now turning into an expedition, and she loved it! "Amelia, when you bring the girls back, could you stay for dinner? Your last dinner invitation was interrupted by that git Dumbledore's appearance."

Sirius was immediately interested, "What happened?"

Remus answered first, "Your godson and his two friends had the imposter stunned and trussed-up in seconds. I'm telling you nothing more until you've had a bath and we burn those clothes!"

Amelia took both girls and promised to return later, Neville just about managed a small wave to his potential new girlfriend as she left. The poor boy had received such a shock to the system he may have progressed to being able to speak again by the time Susan returned.

-oOoOo-

Fudge had copies of the Daily Prophet from the last few weeks spread out on his desk. When one looked at the current situation like that, the results were not only predictable, they were irrefutable and also personally devastating for him. Here was the boy who had defeated you-know-who multiple times, slew a giant basilisk with a fabled sword and then took down the most powerful wizard in the country after the fool crashed their dinner party. Whether it was a pissing contest or a public popularity one, Cornelius Fudge was always going to lose to Harry Potter. When he looked at what was displayed in front of him Cornelius had to concede there should be no shame in that, any witch or wizard in the country would lose to the boy-who-lived. Why then was he, the minister of magic, being so confrontational against the boy?

The answer to his own question sent shivers of fear down his back, Lucius Malfoy. An apology over a genuine misunderstanding and some galleons to Hagrid in compensation would have seen the lad, perhaps not on his side but at least not his enemy. The massive stumbling block had always been Lucius.

That Lucius all but admitted to his guilt this morning was not lost on the minister but, with hindsight, it was a few of his other actions that really worried Cornelius. It was inviting Dolores out to the former Slytherin's mansion that should have seen his mental alarms sounding danger. Dolores was now the new head of the DMLE and Lucius appeared to be already grooming her to take over if this situation blew up in the current minister's face. Cornelius had no problems with Dolores succeeding him, it was the replacing bit that stuck in his craw. Cornelius decided to apply his usual form of problem solving to this mess and see what he came up with, he asked himself what would Lucius do in the same situation as him.

The image of the current minister's head on a silver salver immediately came to mind, that it was a head he faced every morning in the mirror in no way lessened the shock. In the image he even had an apple in his mouth as Cornelius Fudge was served up like a rare delicacy to appease a disgruntled magical population. With Dolores waiting in the wings, normal service would be resumed for Lucius in next to no time. The more he studied the problem, the more the obvious answer stared him in the face.

Could he do it? Would his most trusted lieutenant back him up or would she play her own game? If Dolores had switched sides then he was already done for. She knew that Cornelius intended for her to take over when he retired, it was time to find out if Dolores was prepared to wait that long.

-oOoOo-

Sirius sat enjoying the best meal he could remember eating. The company was great, the food was fabulous and the offered wine was being left strictly alone for now. After twelve years without alcohol, Sirius reckoned he could wait until they reached France before renewing a friendship with that old acquaintance. He was also trying to ignore the sniggering every time one of the dinner guests glanced in his direction. If he didn't, he would probably burst out laughing himself.

Dobby had taken his written permission, and a drop of blood, to Gringotts so the elf could access the Black vaults and do some shopping. Dan had been knocked sideways when they erected the wizarding tent on the back lawn. Spacious en-suite bedrooms, a large, fully equipped kitchen and a separate dining area with a dining table that would seat everyone travelling was truly mind-blowing to the dentist. There wasn't enough room in their back garden to fit all this space, never mind how it all somehow squeezed into the small tent. Dobby had done a wonderful job and got Sirius everything he asked for, allowing the elf to choose some new clothes for the marauder to wear was perhaps a step too far.

Sirius was sitting down to dinner wearing mustard coloured trousers with a red and blue striped shirt. The purple ruffled frill down the centre of the shirt was the piece de resistance and the cause of all the sniggers. Sirius himself thought it was very funny and could see it being worn again as a joke. Saying so though would upset the elf that worshiped his godson, not something he was prepared to do. Anyone who could dump Lucius Malfoy on his arse while protecting Harry was all right in Sirius's book. The clothes were clean, new and fitted him perfectly, what else was there to complain about?

His new goal in life was to be the best godfather to Harry he could be. His godson appeared to have a good group of friends around him and the Grangers were top notch in his opinion. Amelia Bones making house calls to inform Harry what happened at a meeting she had with the minister was something he couldn't quite get his head around yet. Sirius had a growing list of questions that he would hopefully be getting answers from Moony later. Remus was avoiding answering him about certain things as he didn't want an angry godfather seeking retribution and getting caught by the ministry. He'd promised to sit down, along with Dan and Emma, and answer all his questions once they were on the other side of the channel. Sirius could wait that long.

Harry now had two links to his parents and both were going on holiday with his new family and four friends. His previous summers may have been pretty horrible, bars on his bedroom window was a bit much for anyone to take, but this years appeared ready to make up for them all. The excitement around the table was palpable as everyone was anticipating what was to come. Hermione was using that fantastic memory of hers to clue the three newcomers in on what was in front of them, she knew their entire schedule and route off by heart. There were busy days interspaced with relaxing as they made the journey to Harry's chateau. No one had forgotten about the trip to Beauxbatons, or what that could mean for them. It was their summer holidays though and even Hermione wasn't going to be thinking about school during them, this year at least.

-oOoOo-

Dolores had a decision to make, a life defining decision. Her life's ambition was to be minister for magic, an ambition she was now closer to realising than at any time in her life. The decision she was being forced to make here was whether to stick with Cornelius or switch to Lucius Malfoy, both could get her into the minister's office with only the time scale and conditions being different. Malfoy would promise her anything if she turned on Cornelius, she would become the next minister but soon fall under Malfoy's control.

If she stuck with Cornelius then the position would one day be hers, with no strings attached! What the minister was trying to pull here could still blow up in his face and cost Cornelius his position, the skill for her would be in carrying out his orders in such a way that the minister didn't take one Dolores Umbridge down with him.

Politically she might support a lot of Malfoy's opinions, that didn't mean she was going to hand the ministry over to him by being his puppet. When it came time for those beneath her to feel the full power of the ministry, she wanted them to know it was Minister of Magic, Dolores Umbridge who was responsible for their misery. Those without the proper breeding and pedigree would soon discover there was no place for them in Britain. She disagreed with the death eaters in one major point. You didn't have to murder those unworthy of their wonderful wizarding society, just make their life so unbearable they would all soon leave.

-oOoOo-

Dan loved driving this wonderful machine, trying to ignore the celebrations taking place behind him as he concentrated on driving on the wrong side of the road. They had breezed through both sets of customs, appearing nothing more than a family group travelling abroad on holiday. The custom officers in the British passport control point had barely glanced at their documents while the French had simply waved them through. Dan was having a quiet little chuckle to himself.

He was aware his reputation down the golf club was that of a rather staid and stuffy individual. Yet here he was, Dull Daniel the Dentist, smuggling one of the most wanted criminal in Britain over the channel into France. That the RV was also full of witches, wizards and the most amazing house elf would see many of the club members choking on their ultra conservative gin and tonics. Dan wasn't sure if the euphoria he was feeling was part of some mid-life crisis or even living a second childhood but he felt more alive than he had in years. This was so much better than buying a convertible sports car, hoping to impress the gullible but ultimately just appearing rather sad. A balding, middle-age man with a paunch would still be an overweight, follically challenged, middle-aged man, regardless of the expensive car he was driving. Dan thought this way was so much better, it also meant he didn't incur the wrath of both Granger girls. The senior Granger girl kissed his cheek before sliding into the passenger seat next to him. Emma's wide smile and the glint in her eye boded well for the rest of their holiday and left Dan wondering just how thick those walls were inside that magical tent.

A/N Thanks for reading.