Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!

...

...

2nd year – Too Academy

...

"You okay, Padfoot?" Remus asked giving the dog animagus a concerned look.

"Did I make the right choice, Moony?" Sirius asked. "It's bringing attention to me and Japan."

"You heard what Yasutomi said," Remus said. "You were recognised and there's been talk about you in the magical community here."

"I shouldn't have gone to Gringotts," Sirius groaned. "I thought I was careful!"

"It was an accident," Remus said. "It was only a matter of time."

"Mackenzie has managed to keep hidden," Sirius pouted.

"She isn't as recognizable," Remus pointed out. "If they don't see her scar it would take more for them to realise that it is her. And she's rarely in the magical district at all."

"I know," Sirius sighed. "I just feel guilty…"

Sirius closed his eyes cursing his luck. He had made a quick trip to Gringotts knowing he had to do something about Lucius Malfoy before he manipulated his way into the Black vaults. It wasn't that Sirius really cared about his family's wealth, but that didn't mean that he would let Lucius get his greedy hands on it.

"I think that letting Yasutomi make a statement about you being granted asylum will let us control the information," Remus said. "Before it becomes widespread and out of control. Mackenzie also understands, Sirius."

"She's worried, though," Sirius said.

"Of course, she is," Remus nodded. "But she understands."

Sirius nodded with a sigh. To think that they had gotten into this situation. He almost wanted to leave so he wouldn't bring attention to Japan, but the thought of leaving Mac had his heart twist painfully. He had finally gotten to the point where she trusted him and even had decorated a room in his home.

"You're not thinking about leaving again, are you?" Remus looked at him suspiciously.

"No," Sirius sighed. "I won't do that."

Remus gave him a searching look before he nodded, "good. Because she wouldn't forgive us if we just left. You saw how surprised she was when she realised that you'd bought a house."

Sirius nodded, "I know, Moony. I won't let her down like that."

...

Kasahara wasn't really sure what to think anymore. Ever since the training camp, he had started to question everything he thought he knew about Mac. He had been wary of accepting Harasawa's offer to join Too Academy when he had approached him, but he knew that it was one of the best schools there was and their basketball team had just won the Winter Cup. It had been a good offer, but he knew that they had both Daiki and Mac…two of the ones he had the most resentment toward.

He sighed.

"What's wrong?" Inoue Tomoya asked as he sat down on the bench beside him. "You called me out to ignore me?"

Kasahara startled slightly as he realised that Inoue had arrived and was looking at him with an arched brow.

"Sorry," Kasahara said. "I was lost in thought."

"You looked it," Inoue said. "So…what's up?"

Kasahara swallowed as he looked down at his feet. He wasn't sure how to bring it up again knowing how hurt Inoue had been when it had happened. But he needed to talk to someone and Inoue had always looked out for him at the team and even after…

"I started Too Academy," Kasahara blurted out.

Inoue tensed slightly but didn't look too surprised.

"I heard," Inoue said. "You continued with basketball too, right?"

Kasahara nodded. "Yes, I did. Coach Harasawa came and offered me a spot. I was…reluctant, but it is a good school."

"And they have the best team," Inoue said. "I know."

Kasahara looked at his friend who suddenly seemed tired. He didn't want to hurt him with this, but Hyuga and Kiyoshi's words echoed in his mind as he wondered if maybe it was wrong to put the whole blame on Mac and her friends.

"So, have you learned something?" Inoue asked.

"Yes," Kasahara admitted. "Mac is pushing us at practices and have been extremely hard on all of us…"

"I heard she is tough," Inoue said. "Aomine always said she was."

"You…do you regret it?" Kasahara blurted out.

"Regret quitting?" Inoue glanced at him before he sighed. "In a way, yes. But at the same time… I just didn't have it in me to keep going. I wasn't strong enough."

Kasahara looked down again. His hands fisted as he remembered the pain-filled looks and sobs.

"I don't know what to think anymore," Kasahara admitted. "I… I remember how it was after… when everyone…It was hard."

Inoue sighed, "you blame them?"

Kasahara's head snapped up and stared at Inoue.

"Don't you?" Kasahara asked.

"A little," Inoue admitted quietly. "I still remember feeling worthless and useless against them, how they barely did anything and still was leagues away from us. We didn't stand a chance and it still hurts to remember that."

"I know," Kasahara said. "And that's why…"

"But," Inoue said talking about him, "I also remember the hopeful smile on Aomine's face when I talked to him before the match. How he accepted the challenge and seemed to get excited about the game. How he shook my hand and looked at me firmly…. And then how he looked when I stopped playing. I think that is what I remember the most. The hurt look on his face when he passed me with me doing nothing."

Kasahara frowned as he took in the admittance from Inoue. He had not been aware that Inoue had been thinking about that. To be honest he hadn't thought about how Daiki would have reacted or how he felt during that game.

"And Potter confronted you after the match," Kasahara said trying to hold on to some of the resentment he felt because that had been uncalled for. Yet, he found it difficult...

Inoue grimaced, "I called Aomine a monster, Kasahara. I didn't mean for them to hear it, but they did and she reacted. She is…very protective of her friends, especially Aomine. I have heard a few things since we played them. So, yeah… she did."

Kasahara slumped in his seat and kicked the ground under his feet as he felt frustrated and confused. Again he thought about what Kiyoshi said about how he didn't know Mac.

"We had a training camp with Seirin recently," Kasahara said breaking the silence again. Inoue looked over at him. "The way they worked together even when losing was…something."

Inoue hummed, "I heard they had a good team. I watched a little of winter cup, so I saw them play against Too Academy."

"They have one who gave up playing after playing against Teiko as well," Kasahara said.

"Kasahara," Inoue started.

"I was curious because he and Mac seemed to be friends," Kasahara said. "Kiyoshi told me that I don't know Mac."

Inoue sighed, "I don't really want to talk about this, Kasahara."

Kasahara flinched slightly but nodded and bit back the words he wanted to say.

"But, I suppose that they are right," Inoue said. "Have you taken the time to get to know her, Kasahara? Truly know her and not just the surface that you see at practice?"

Kasahara frowned.

"I'm not going to tell you what to do," Inoue said. "You need to work it out yourself. I quit, and for me, that was the right choice. Maybe I should have kept going, but I guess my dream wasn't strong enough. I've had a chance to find something new. Something I like just as much if not more than basketball. Do not carry a grudge because of me or the others, okay? It's not worth it."

...

The next day Kasahara walked into the gym for practice and saw Mac seated on the stage with a black book in her lap. Her hair was pulled back and she looked relaxed.

"Oi! Mac!" Wakamatsu said. "You sure you don't want to play me and see how's best?"

Mac looked up from the book (what was she doing?) and arched a brow at Wakamatsu.

"You want to lose again, Wakamatsu?" Mac asked putting the book down and jumped to her feet. "Bring it!"

While earlier Kasahara would have thought that she sounded arrogant he realised that she was just playful and teasing and even challenging like she wanted him to challenge her. He sighed a little as he watched how the two started to play one-on-one smiling as they did.

"We're having a more relaxed day today," Sekai said. "Mac said that coach Harasawa had an appointment and left the practice to her. But since she didn't have the time to plan something in particular we should have fun today."

Kasahara arched a brow. "Fun?"

"Fun is important, you know," Abe said. "It's not often we get practices like this, but sometimes Mac insists on just having fun."

"So, we can do what we want?" Kasahara asked.

"Yup," Abe said. "So, you two want to join me and Inoue and play?"

Kasahara and Sekai exchanged looks before nodding, "yes!"

Kasahara found that he had fun playing with Sekai and Abe and Inoue (not the same Inoue he had talked with the day before obviously), and relaxed more as he forced the ball through the hoop.

He high-fived Sekai who grinned at him while Abe and Inoue shouted for one more time. Kasahara was about to agree when he noticed that Mac had stopped playing Wakamatsu and was now going one-on-one against Daiki.

"Ah," Abe said when he noticed where his attention had gone. "They're at it again."

"Wow," Sekai said. "How is that even possible?"

They watched as Mac spun around with the ball keeping Daiki away from it and it didn't look like he was letting her do so either. He was honestly trying to get to the ball but Mac was keeping him from getting it and even got the ball through the hoop.

"She can keep up with him for a little while," Abe said with a shrug. "It's always stunning to see."

"I almost forgot to breathe the first time I saw it," Inoue agreed.

"Imayoshi and Susa were even stunned," Sakurai said making them jump. "Sorry."

"Why do you keep apologizing?" Kasahara asked.

"Sorry," Sakurai said.

"It's just how he is," Abe said with a smile. "You'll get used to it."

Kasahara was sure he saw the small mischievous look in Sakurai's eyes before it vanished and the timid look was back. He frowned at him confused before he shrugged.

...

Mac had jumped up on stage again and pulled over her sketchbook. She felt more relaxed than she had in a long time and just hearing the others laugh and have a good time together made it seem like they were a real team. Finally.

She continued on the drawing she had started earlier before Wakamatsu challenged her to a match and smiled a little as she let her pencil fly over the page. She hadn't had the chance or the inspiration to sketch much lately and she had missed it. It helped her mind relax and she could just draw without thinking too much. She couldn't help but worry about what Sirius and Remus had told her earlier about how they would release a statement about Sirius being in Japan and having gotten asylum here. She understood, but it worried her a little (okay more that a little). She tried not to think too much about it, but it was difficult.

"Hey."

Mac glanced up and saw Kasahara standing in front of her. She fought the sigh that wanted to slip out as she lowered the sketchbook.

"Hey," Mac said. "Something wrong?"

She would be polite even if she was sure he would find some way to complain about their activities and lack of formal practice.

"No…" Kasahara shifted on his feet looking uncomfortable making Mac look at him more closely. He didn't seem angry, but rather nervous. "I was just… wondering."

"Wondering?" Mac asked when he didn't say anything else.

It looked like he was searching for the right words.

"I don't know how to say it," Kasahara finally said. "Without it sounding wrong."

Mac was silent for a moment.

"Why don't you sit down so we can talk?" Mac offered. "And tell me what you're thinking. I'll try not to be offended."

Mac added a small grin at the end trying to get a feel on Kasahara's mood and was surprised when the younger boy actually smiled back. Huh. She had not expected that. He jumped up so he could sit on the edge of the stage but angled himself so he was turned toward her.

"Nice," he said and she realised he was looking at her sketchbook. "You're good."

"It's something I've always liked doing," Mac said quietly. "Haven't had a chance to sketch much lately, though."

Kasahara nodded, "I guess being both captain and manager of a basketball team is a lot of work."

Mac blinked surprised, not able to stop herself before she blanked her expression and nodded.

"It is," Mac said.

Kasahara sighed.

"Yugi said that you were with coach Harasawa when he came to ask him to join Too Academy," Kasahara said.

"I was," Mac nodded confused.

Kasahara frowned and… oh! Mac suddenly realised why he looked so conflicted.

"I would have come to ask you as well, but since it is outside of Tokyo coach said I should stay home," Mac said.

"You…really?" Kasahara looked surprised.

"Of course," Mac said. "I suggested that we looked closer at both you and Yugi. I remembered you and knew you were good and had potential, same with Yugi. I asked Momoi from Teiko and she confirmed that you had done well last year. I thought you would fit in with our team well."

Kasahara was staring at her with wide eyes and looked stunned. She frowned a little as she looked at him.

"Not that coach didn't think so too," Mac said realising that it might seem like she was the one who made the decision. "Coach looked into it as well, and he agreed."

"Oh," Kasahara said.

"What? You thought I didn't want you on the team?" Mac asked.

He shrugged and she realised that he had believed that. She frowned a little.

"I see," she murmured.

"I know you don't like my old team much," Kasahara said, "with everything that happened and all, and we lost horribly and…"

"Hey," Mac interrupted. "Breathe, okay? I don't hold that against you at all, you know."

He shrugged and Mac sighed.

"I think there's some misinterpretation here," Mac continued. "You think I hold what happened between Teiko and Kamizaki against you?"

"We were weak," Kasahara said, "and you all crushed us. They all quit, and it was hard to continue after that. I resented you and the others for it, but at the same time didn't want to be brushed off as someone weak."

His attitude made a little more sense now and she felt a familiar spark of guilt but pushed it back. She wasn't sure what to say as she searched for words.

"I met with Inoue Tomoya yesterday," Kasahara continued not waiting for Mac's response.

"Oh," she said. "I see."

Mac felt a little lost as she grimaced. Inoue Tomoya… he was a sore subject for her. She knew, logically, that he wasn't to blame but he was the one who pushed Daiki over the edge. Mac knew that it had been a matter of time before it had happened, but…

...

Kasahara had never seen Mac look as lost as she did now. It was clear that she didn't know what to say. He even spotted a flash of something in her eyes that resembled guilt. Did she really feel guilt for others stopping to play?

"He told me that I shouldn't hold onto a grudge because of him and our team," Kasahara said.

He saw the surprise in her eyes as she looked at him and she opened her mouth before closing it again.

"I see," Mac finally said. "I will admit that I have conflicted feelings about Inoue, Kasahara. I know he is a good player. Daiki…he was close to giving up finding anyone who would give him a challenge back then… Everyone we played gave up when they faced us, they didn't try to stop him. Can you imagine how that is?"

Kasahara grimaced and shook his head. No, he couldn't…

"It's not fun," Mac said calmly, "and Daiki loves basketball more than anything. He wanted someone who could challenge him, but no one could. Inoue… he had been able to do so the year before. Daiki remembered him and looked forward to playing him again. So, when Inoue stopped playing… it hurt Daiki. He thought that he would at least face someone who never gave up, and now even he had given up…" "

Kasahara was surprised that she opened up like this, and he had to admit that he hadn't thought about how it was from their side. Well, until Inoue had said something similar the day before but to hear it from Mac… it made it more real.

"I am sorry your team stopped playing," Mac said meeting his eyes and he saw the sincerity in her green eyes. "I never wished for that."

He believed her. He nodded.

"I'm sorry I let my resentment colour the way I looked at you," Kasahara said.

Mac smiled a little and he returned it hoping that they could get along better now. He regretted not trying to have a more open mind and let his own emotions cloud his view.

...

Daiki frowned when he saw Kasahara approach Mac. He wanted to go over and defend Mac, but he was stopped. He frowned as he looked at Sekai.

"What are you doing?" Daiki demanded looking at the hand against his chest.

"Um, sorry," Sekai said nervously. "Just… please let them talk?"

Daiki scowled and pushed Sekai away from him and looked over at Mac and Kasahara. Mac didn't seem upset so he relaxed a little.

"Talk?" Daiki looked at Sekai.

"Kasahara wanted to talk to Mac," Sekai said. "I think they need it."

"He better not upset her again," Daiki muttered.

"I don't think he won't," Sekai said nervously. "But he needs to get a chance to clear the air with Mac."

Daiki knew he was right. He sighed and nodded knowing that he would check on Mac later. He didn't trust Kasahara, but he hoped that he would back off now and maybe realise that Mac wasn't the enemy.

Daiki accepted a challenge from Wakamatsu (who else?) and focused on the tall and muscles centre. Wakamatsu was getting better too, Daiki thought. He was still not good enough, but he didn't lose control of the ball like he used to.

It was almost the end of practice when the door to the gym slammed open and Daiki looked toward the noise and blinked when he saw Ryota entering the gym.

"Mac-cchi!" Ryota wailed.

"Kise," Mac frowned at him. "What are you doing here? And you're interrupting our practice."

Daiki rolled his eyes at the dramatic Kaijo player.

"But, Mac-cchi!" Ryota pouted.

Ryota had reached Mac now and attached himself around her neck hugging her while she rolled her eyes but hugged him back.

"Um…" Yugi blinked. "What?"

Sekai and Shishui looked confused as did Kasahara who was still close to Mac having just finished their conversation.

"Let go of me, Kise," Mac sighed.

"Mac-cchi! You're mean!" Ryota cried.

"Oi!" Daiki scowled at Ryota.

Mac sighed and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "What now?"

"You called Murasakibara-cchi by his name and you won't do the same with me!" Ryota complained. "Do you like him better than me? Eh? Why won't you call me by my name?!"

Mac stared at him shocked and a little disbelievingly.

"Seriously?" Daiki muttered.

"Kise…" Mac sighed. "You…"

"No!" Ryota hugged her again. "Ryota! Call me Ryota!"

Daiki laughed and shook his head. Ryota was so dramatic. It had been a while since he had gotten to see this side of Ryota.

"Um, shouldn't you help Mac?" Sekai asked.

"Why?" Daiki asked with a shrug.

Abe and Inoue laughed while Wakamatsu shook his head.

"Fine, Ryota," Mac said. "No, can you please let me go? Again?"

Ryota leaned back and grinned before he pulled her to him again and spun around.

"Finally!" Ryota beamed.

Daiki frowned when Ryota kept hugging Mac and finally walked over and pulled Mac away from Ryota who pouted at him.

"Meany, Aomine-cchi! You have to share!" Ryota complained.

"My girlfriend," Daiki said.

"My best friend!" Ryota shot back.

"My…"

"Oi! Enough!" Mac interrupted them with a glare. "What are you? Five?"

They both pouted at her making her roll her eyes and fight a blush as she realised that the rest of the team was watching them. She sighed and pulled a hand through her hair.

"Enough for today," she said. "Since the drama-queen decided to interrupt our practice I think we'll say that it's enough for today. It's close enough, anyway. Good work today. Be ready for a more serious practice tomorrow!"

"Yes, Mac."

...

Mac punched Ryota gently on the arm while giving him a look and he looked a little sheepish.

"What were you thinking?" Mac frowned at him. "If coach Harasawa had been here he wouldn't have been impressed."

"But, I just wanted you to call me by my first name too!" Ryota sulked. "Murasakibara-cchi bragged that you used his first name, and I wanted that too!"

"So you said," Mac said.

Ryota watched her and had that searching look in his yellow eyes reminding Mac that Ryota was sharper than most gave him credit for. He liked being dramatic, but he rarely did something without a plan.

"Ryota," Mac smiled. "I guess I could get used to using your first name."

Daiki snorted, "of course she could. Don't know why you didn't just ask her to do so instead of creating a scene."

"It's more fun," Ryota said.

Mac shook her head, "of course."

"Let's go and eat together?" Ryota looked at her. "It's been forever since I saw you!"

"Okay," Mac agreed. "Let me just get changed."

"Me too," Daiki said and Ryota nodded.

"Sure," Ryota said.

Mac smiled to herself as she changed and got ready to spend the afternoon with Daiki and Ryota. She liked knowing that Ryota wanted her to use his first name just like Atsushi did. Maybe it was okay that she was less formal with her friends. She never cared about being called Potter, it reminded her too much of her relatives who would spit out the name with dislike. She liked being just Mac.

"Ready?" Ryota asked when she joined him and Daiki who was waiting outside.

"Yes," Mac smiled. "I am."

They went to the Maji close by and found a table before Daiki and Ryota went to order food while Mac held the table for them.

"You planned that," Daiki gave Ryota a look.

"Me?" Ryota smirked. "Maybe."

"She looked happy," Daiki said. "That's good."

Ryota nodded in agreement.

They got their food and carried it over to the table where Mac was waiting for them. She smiled when she spotted them.

"How is your team?" Mac asked. "You've lost a few players this year, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Ryota said. "Kasamatsu-cchi, Moriyama-cchi and Kobori-cchi all graduated."

"Got any new players?" Mac asked.

"Of course," Ryota said. "We'll get a trophy this year!"

"Hm, we'll see about that," Daiki smirked.

"Nakamura is your new Captain, right?" Mac asked.

"Mm," Ryota said. "You guessed?"

"He seemed like the best alternative," Mac shrugged. "Hayakawa is too excitable and hard to understand, so I would have been surprised if your coach went for him. You could have been captain, but I don't think you'd like it."

"I wouldn't," Ryota agreed with a fond look. "You know my team well. Nakamura-cchi didn't play a lot last year."

"But he was a steady support for you and the team," Mac shrugged. "And of course I know your team. You're my friend."

Ryota grinned enjoying hanging out with both Mac and Daiki as the banter and laughter continued as they ate. It was easy and fun.

...

Britain

...

Lucius Malfoy swirled the glass of firewhisky thoughtfully as he contemplated the latest happenings. His plans had been working. He had encouraged his old friends to go out and have some fun knowing that they were all restless having to pretend to be accepting of the mudbloods that were walking around taking their jobs and money. He relished in the news of the attacks, the fear that started up again.

The political game changed and he knew how to play it. He knew how to push and press to get the changes he wanted. Fudge was…clueless. Dense. A puppet perfect to be directed where he wanted him. He only needed to drop some gold here and there…

The hints that Sirius Black had started to build up the Dark Lords old army and ready to take his place was perfect. The sheep was already fearful of Sirius, thinking he had been the Dark Lords second in command. Fools. But it served his purpose and Lucius knew how to use it for his gain.

He started rumours that Sirius Black was getting help from the goblins. That they were giving him access to his vaults, that he got money to hide and to direct the followers.

It worked. The papers started publishing articles where they asked questions, and panic was spreading. The Wizengamot were arguing about what to be done, how to stop this from happening while Dumbledore tried to calm them all down.

Lucius had waited. He could be patient. He knew that it had only been a matter of time before he could move.

What most people didn't understand was that even fortunes often had an end. Even the Malfoy vaults at Gringotts wasn't bottomless. It cost money to keep up the image of the Malfoy name and to keep out of Azkaban when the Dark Lord was defeated by a baby.

Bloody Potter.

So, that was one reason why he, they, needed to get their hands on the Black money. They needed that money and they deserved it. Narcissa was a much better heir to the noble house of Black. Not that filthy blood traitor who fought against everything the Black family stood for. Narcissa and Draco by her were the true heirs and it was time that everyone realised that.

The owl arriving brought him out of his thoughts and he put his glass down as he reached for the letter first while the Daily Prophet was placed on the table next to him without a second look.

He pursed his lips as he opened the letter.

...

Dear Lord Malfoy,

In January this year you filed an appeal to the Wizengamot and the Goblins where you requested access to the Black family fortune under the claim that your wife Lady Narcissa Malfoy nee Black is the first cousin with Lord Sirius Black, heir of the noble house of Black.

Your request has been granted and you can now approach the goblins to gain access to the Black vaults. We appreciate your efforts to get old valuable vaults flowing again and helping our economy in such a trying time.

Sincerely,

Cornelius Fudge,

Minister of Magic.

...

Lucius smirked.

Everything was going to plan. He got to his feet uncharacteristically eager to get to see just how much they had access to. It was well known that the house of Black was among the wealthiest families in Britain.

He walked to the floo and flooed out of the office forgetting to read the prophet as he had planned.

...

"Greetings, Lord Malfoy," the goblin introduced as Rodrock greeted. "What can we at Gringotts do for you today?"

"I have been granted access to the Black vaults," Lucius said dignified. "I would like to check them out."

Lucius noticed the small smirk on the goblin's face but thought nothing of it. Goblins had strange humour that he did not comprehend. He sniffed and looked sternly at the goblin trying to impress on him that he was to going to sit around and wait.

"Do you have the paperwork, Lord Malfoy?" Rodrock asked.

Lucius levitated the papers over to the goblin who looked them over before nodding.

"Everything seems in order," Rodrock said. "Follow me."

Lucius walked calmly after the goblin hiding his smirk behind a blank mask that years of training had perfected. Malfoy's did not show emotion in public after all.

The cart ride down was uneventful though a little long seeing that the Black vaults were deep inside the bank for security reasons.

He watched as Rodrock opened the vault and step aside before walking to the vaults door and blinked. It was… empty.

He stepped further into the vault and stepped further into it as if it magically would prove to be a trick to the eye. It was interesting how Gringotts vaults worked. Any old family had a large vault, but inside of this vault, there were smaller ones that you could only access from the large vault. The only other vault outside of the main vault was a school vault set up for their children to cover Hogwarts.

But as Malfoy walked among the vaults now he found every one of them empty. Empty!

"How is this possible?!" Lucius snarled turning to Rodrock who was standing by the entrance looking bored (though he had a mischievous look in his dark eyes if one knew how to read a goblin). "Where is the money? Where is everything? I know that Black family has more than…than..this!"

"This is the vaults you have access to," Rodrock said. "I am just following the paperwork."

Lucius felt like exploding in anger as he looked around once more. The money couldn't just vanish! It simply didn't happen like that!

Suddenly he noticed something on a table of sort and walked over to it and found a small stack of knuts and a piece of parchment. A quick count told him there were 13 knuts in total making him sneer.

Lucy! Surprised? You wanted access to my family's vaults? Well, I guess you succeeded. In a way. You can have the space. I can find new space. Ha. I left you a little gift too. 13 knuts for your trouble. I think that's all you're worth anyway. Say hey to 'Cissa for me! S.B.

...

Lucius wasn't sure how he made it back to the manor. He had not been so angry in years. How had Sirius gotten wind of what he was doing? Well, it had been something in the paper but still… He kept forgetting that Sirius wasn't stupid. He was smart when he actually used his brain, though he didn't do that often, so he might have guessed the plan.

Lucius grabbed the bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhisky and poured himself a full glass before drinking it all in one go feeling the burning sensation as he did. It didn't help with the anger and he threw the glass against the wall watching as it shattered. He had known he couldn't lose his temper at Gringotts. The goblins would have thrown him out and he would have created a scene. It was a near thing though.

His house-elf popped into the room to clean up the broken glass and Lucius sneered at it as it whimpered.

"Hurry up, Dobby," Lucius snapped. "Do not stand there and whine."

"Ye-yes, Master," Dobby bowed.

Lucius sat down in the chair by the fireplace and frowned.

"And get me another glass and bottle of Firewhisky, Dobby," Lucius ordered.

"Right away, Master Malfoy," Dobby said and popped out before he was back again and a glass and a bottle of firewhisky was placed in front of him.

Lucius grabbed the glass and took a deep sip of the whisky. Anger simmered inside of his chest as he felt the burning from the whisky. When he placed the glass back down at the table he noticed the paper and sat up straighter when the headline caught his attention.

...

Sirius Black granted asylum in Japan!

...

Hey, my readers!

Today I'm here with a major scoop! As my faithful readers are well aware I am stationed in Japan to follow the news here in Japan and also countries nearby. And today I got called in for something even I would never have dreamed of happening on my watch. I am pleased to report back to you, my faithful readers!

A press conference was called and together with a group of journalists from all over the world met at a garden in Kyoto, Japan. A traditional Japanese garden did not prepare for the shock this press conference offered, let me tell you!

"Welcome," Yasutomi started getting the attention of everyone there. "Thank you for coming today. I have a statement I want to read before I open the floor for questions."

Yasutomi Tomoka was standing on the small podium when we arrived looking collected and ready for whatever was about to happen. Yasutomi is a lawyer with the Japanese Magical Law Department and is well known for her ability to defend and find the truth.

"Late summer last year Sirius Black was granted asylum in Japan after having proved that he is innocent in the crimes he was imprisoned in Azkaban for. Rest assured that he was thoroughly questioned under the use of veritaserum, a truth serum, and investigated to the fullest before we granted him asylum," Yasutomi said.

Chaos followed the statement with everyone yelling out questions before Yasutomi managed to calm everyone down.

"I will now allow questions, please wait your turn to ask," Yasutomi said. "I will get around to answering as many as I can."

- How did the Japanese Ministry find Sirius Black?

"I won't say anything more than that a meeting between Mr Black and representation from the Japanese Ministry was arranged by a third party. Enough information was given that the Japanese Ministry was convinced that there were more to his story than the public was led to believe."

- Why didn't the Japanese Ministry alert the British Ministry of Sirius Black's presence when they first learned it?

"The situation as a whole had us hesitating to contact the British Ministry," Yasutomi said. "Mr Black was illegally put in Azkaban without a fair trial where he could have proven his innocence of the murder of 13 muggles and Peter Pettigrew. The British Ministry let this happen and we decided to listen to Mr Black's wishes in this matter."

- What do you mean by illegally put in Azkaban?

"Mr Black was never given a proper trial before he was sent to Azkaban. The witnesses of the crime were obliviated before they got a chance to be questioned more thoroughly. Any use of veritaserum would have proved that Mr Black was innocent and that the real culprit was still at large. We found a lot of wrong dealings by the British Ministry of Magic all leading us to believe that Mr Black never received fair handling and was placed in one of the worlds cruellest prisons illegally."

- Sirius Black is a known Death Eater! He belongs in Azkaban!

"Sirius Black is not a Death Eater. He has never been a Death Eater."

- He is a Black! Even in France, we know that the Black family is dark!

"It doesn't matter who his family is. Mr Black is not his family, Ma'am. In fact, he joined the fight against the Death Eaters and Voldemort after he finished Hogwarts. He risked his own life and went against his family's wishes and broke any contact he had with his family. I will remind you that we questioned him under truth serum and his answers reassured us that he is not a Death Eater."

- But why offer him asylum? Why not give the new evidence to the British Ministry so they could give him a trial?

"Mr Black expressed concerns about the treatment he would be given if he were handed over to the British authorities. The Dementors has orders to Kiss him on sight, so he was worried about it. Also, why should Mr Black trust that he would be offered a fair chance at a trial when they have let him down so grievously? There was a legitimate concern that some might want to cover up their mistakes and place him back in Azkaban."

- Where is Sirius Black now? Why isn't he here?

"Mr Black is not here at this time. It was decided that it was best I met with the press to answer questions. He asks for privacy to continue to recover after years in Azkaban and the following years living on the run. It has been a harsh life for Mr Black. Any request can be made to me and I will make sure he gets it. He will not be available for interviews at this time."

- A rumour says that he is the godfather of Mackenzie Potter. Is that true?

"Mr Black was best friends with late James Potter while at school and was the best man at James' wedding. When Mackenzie Potter was born Mr Black was the natural choice as godfather."

- What does he think about Mackenize Potter's disappearance?

"Mr Black is furious that his goddaughter wasn't better looked after and allowed to go missing as she has. He longs for a chance to make up for not being a part of her life like he always wanted to. He feels that he has let his friends down by not being there for their daughter. That is all I will say about this."

- What is Sirius Black's view on the recent Death Eater attacks in Britain? It's been suggested that he is behind them.

"Mr Black is disturbed that his name is connected to the attacks on innocent people. He's quite outraged that someone is using his name like that while hiding like cowards behind masks."

- Yasutomi-san! What does Sirius Black plan to do now? What will he do about being placed illegally in prison?

"We have already taken steps. We've sent the case to the International Confederations of Wizards and filed a lawsuit against the British Ministry of Magic. This injustice will not be tolerated and it's time that Mr Black gets back to the life he has been robbed of. Now, that's all. Thank you for coming and have a nice day."

...

That was the press conference, my dear readers! Word for word! Shocking isn't it? Sirius Black, mass murderer and follower of You-Know-Who, innocent? Can that be? The Japanese Ministry certainly thinks so and they are known for being very harsh on crimes. They would not grant asylum to someone without proper cause.

Did our Ministry truly put an innocent man in prison? A chilling thought… a chilling thought.

More on Sirius Black on page 3

Sirius Black's backstory on page 4

The British Ministry and their search on Sirius Black on page 6

Is Sirius Black really innocent? Page 8

Did the British Minister of Magic throw an innocent man in prison? Page 9

...

Lucius crumpled the paper and tossed it in the air.

"Incendio," he whispered and watched the paper burning as it fell to the floor. He watched as it burned up without scorching his floors (a charm stopped that from happening).

"So, Black is free in Japan now, is he?" Lucius murmured. "That explains how he has gotten access to the vaults. Stupid goblins don't care that he's not free here."

Lucius leaned back in his chair. His mind already spinning in possible plans and moves. He would not sit back and let Sirius get the last laugh. No one humiliated Lucius Malfoy like this! No one….

"How good of the papers to let me know where he is;" Lucius smirked. "He should be easily found now. I wonder if he has found his goddaughter as well… Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn't really matter at this point."

He got up and smirked as he downed the last of the drink. He had plans to make.

...

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AN: What do you think? XD

Thank you for your support! XD