'I lost.' Harry announced.

'Pardon me Harry?' Dumbledore replied. They were in a Ministry waiting room, waiting. Luckily these days adoptions into one of the sacred houses was no longer had to be witnessed by the whole Wizengamot, but rather just a single member and the Chief Warlock, which meant Dumbledore and Molly Weasley.

'After you told me that while clearly talented I wasn't a wizard beyond exception, I felt the need to prove myself. The first step in this was beating Hermione, Selwyn and Draco in duels, but I lost to Draco last week.' Harry admitted.

'And how does that make you feel Harry?' Dumbledore asked, as grandfatherly as ever.

'A bit silly? Not like it would have proven very much if I had. If I'm going to prove myself exceptional its not going to be by duelling other eleven year olds, is it?'

Dumbledore nodded, stroking his beard.

'I think Harry if there is anything exceptional about you its your determination and maturity, just like your Mother.'

Harry blushed.

'Thanks Sir.'

'Even if I still do not think it is the correct path, conniving to free your friend's father, adding another progressive to the Wizengamot and getting Sirius Black out of that accursed house is no mean feat.'

'You still think its a bad idea Sir, helping Mr. Zabini?'

Dumbledore smiled.

'Well the worst possible option is trying to stop the deportation and failing, so I'm just focused on making sure we win this Harry. There is nothing the public disdain more than weakness.'

As Dumbledore spoke the door was opened, and on the other side Mrs. Weasley and Sirius stood.

'Harry!' Mrs. Weasley said, coming over and wrapping Harry in a hug, a hug whose enthusiasm belied the fact that they had only meet once before. When she let him go he received a squeeze on the shoulder and a grin from Sirius.

'You managed to avoid any unwanted attention?' Dumbledore asked.

'Yes, yes.' Mrs. Weasley replied.

'Magic can really do wonders.' Sirius joked.

'Very well then, should we begin? As with every day for the best part of a century I have quite the pressing schedule.'

Dumbledore shuffled them all into what he thought was the proper position and began to speak.

'Lady Weasley, apologies Molly I must call you that, do you swear to be a true witness to this adoption, and that if it violates any laws set by the Wizengamot you will call it to the attention of your fellows and have it struck down?'

'I will, Chief Warlock.' She said, smiling.

'Very well. Lord Black, do you wish to adopt this wizard into your house?' Sirius looked like he hated that title even more than Molly did.

'I do.' Sirius said, sounding nervous.

'Lord Black, do you wish to make this wizard your heir?'

'I do.'

'Lord Black, do you swear to treat this boy as if he was your own blood, your own seed, and make no discrimination between him and any other child of yours?'

'I do.'

'Very well.' Dumbledore said, and turned towards Harry. 'Harry, do you wish to join house Black?'

'I do.'

'Do you swear to honour Lord Black as you would your own Father?' Harry could hear suppressed laughter from Sirius.

'I do.'

'Do you swear to do the best to act in accordance with your elevated position and to honour the most Noble and Ancient House of Black?'

'I do.'

'Then let it be done.' Dumbledore intoned and Harry heard a crack and felt a shiver go through him.

'What was that?' Harry asked, alarmed.

'There was a reason I used the correct words Harry, anyway, I must be off.' Dumbledore nodded to Sirius and Molly, and then departed the room.

He looked at the two adults remaining in the room, but they didn't seem interested in giving him an explanation.

'Sirius, would you like to come over for some tea?' Molly asked.

'I'd love to Molly but it'd be awkward, what if someone sees me, I could transform but-' Something clicked in Sirius' head. '-yes, actually Molly I will certainly come.'