Shipping Bingo: A1 - Fake Relationship

Fall Bingo C2 - Cobbler

Setting D5 - Quiet

Stacked With: BAON; ToS; StL; NC; PP; SoC; Star; Fence; Shower; ER; MLG; Rum; Cluster; SN; FR; O3; SHoE; Ship; Fall Bingo; Set

Individual Challenges: Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Disabled; Claimed; Gryffindor MC x2; Magical MC x4; Rian-Russo Inversion; Ethnic & Present; Small Fry (Y); Ship Sails (Y); Hold the Mayo (Y); Lunar Era (Y); Old Shoes (Y); Short Jog (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); Kinder (Y)

Primary & Secondary: Under the Bridge; Soul-Like; Getting On; Second Verse (Dog Star; Snow Lemon; Lyre Liar; Broom's Only; Spinning Plates; Found Family; Untraditional; Zucchini Bread; Not a Lamp); Chorus (Sitting Hummingbird; Turtle-Duck; Larger Than Life; Tomorrow's Shade; Mouth of Babes; Delicious Lie; Bee Haven; Rediscovery; Machismo; Odd Feathers)

Tertiary & Generic: SHoE (Onus); O3 (Orator; Oust); FR (Liberation); SN (Ameliorate)

Warnings: Mentioned child abuse

~o0o~

The day he was taken by the Dursley's was the happiest day of Harry's life. He was kidnapped, of course, but anywhere was better than the cupboard under the stairs. The day he was taken, he had accidentally broken one of Aunt Petunia's tea cups. It hadn't even been her favorite. In fact, she often complained about how plain and ugly they were. Yet when Dudley tripped him and the cup had shattered on the ground, she chased him around the house screaming and waving her broom.

He had bolted out of the garden door and was hiding in the shrubbery when he was scooped up and whisked away. He hadn't liked the sensation of being sucked through a straw, but when the sick feeling went away, he found himself being carried by a tall, thin man. Almost skeletal. He should have screamed or kicked, but this man hugged him tightly and stroked his hair.

"I've got you," he had murmured. "I've got you."

The scared tears Harry was crying due to Aunt Petunia had subsided while this man consoled him. He was carried down a country road to a cottage. Harry had seen a painting like it in Mrs. Figg's house.

They stepped inside and a tall black man with a shaved head was standing at a stove and stirring a pot that had something sweet smelling in it.

"Honey, I'm home," said the one holding Harry.

The other man scowled. "Do not test your luck Sirius. This is just to keep Harry protected."

"Well, I did make you promise you wouldn't actually fall in love with me, Kingsley." Sirius set Harry down in a chair and sat across from him. "Let me get a look at you, Harry."

Harry wanted to ask who these people were, but he was starting to learn from the Dursleys that questions gave trouble, so he remained quiet while he was looked at.

"I am sorry I took so long," said Sirius. "Your mum and dad meant for you to go to me should anything happen to them but… well…" He hesitated. "I have you now. I promise, you will never have to go back to Petunia, but there are some rules."

There are always rules.

"There are some people who want to keep you with Petunia," said Sirius. "But I can't allow that to happen. So, my good friend Kingsley is adopting you and we are living together so I can take care of you. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded. Were these nice men? He was so relieved to get away from the Dursleys that he hadn't stopped to consider that these people might be just as bad, or worse. Kingsley ladled something into a mug and brought it over, placing it in front of Harry before sitting down with his own mug.

"Where's mine?" Sirius asked.

"You have legs."

Harry laughed and quickly slapped his hands over his mouth. However, Sirius' glare was reserved only for Kingsley as he got up to get his own… whatever it was. The young boy slowly slid the mug closer and sniffed the concoction. It smelled and looked a lot like oatmeal. Not taking his eyes off them, he sipped it.

Wow.

It was warm and thick and sweet with something almost spicy in it along with the tang of orange. Before long, Harry slurped it all down and wanted to ask for more.

"You are very thin Harry," said Kingsley, as if he knew what the boy was thinking. "But I want to see how this settles with you before I give you anymore. If you're still hungry in…" he wobbled his hand. "Fifteen minutes, I'll pour you some more."

"Thank you, sir."

"Such a polite boy," he said. "James and Lily were so cheeky. You're certain we kidnapped the right boy?"

Sirius snorted. "Pretty sure."

They had showed him his room, he'd had actual windows and a bed. There were even toys in the chest and clothes in the drawers. The next day, when he had tried cooking breakfast as he was expected to do, Kingsley told him a seven year old had no business worrying about such things, but let him sit on the counter and man the egg timer.

Most days were like this. He'd been there for a while yet and the only thing he was expected of was to keep his room tidy and help dry dishes. Part of him waited for the next shoe to drop, but his eighth birthday came with cake and presents like Dudley always got and he was beginning to think that there was no catch. Sirius and Kingsley just wanted him. They teased that he was the only reason they were together, but Harry was getting a feeling that that was no longer the case. When Kingsley took him to check ups, he would mention stopping by the store for something that Sirius liked and when Kingsley had a bad day, Sirius would go out of his way to cheer him up.

Even Vernon and Petunia did things like that for each other.

The trouble really began the day Kingsley brought Harry to work when the house became infested with doxies. The magic thing was the hardest for Harry to come to terms with but that was because of how Vernon and Petunia reacted to even the word. Somehow, it made sense. How he could do things without explanation. Sirius had shown him pretty things and interesting things, but the doxies were not pretty.

So, that was how Harry was sitting in Kingsley's office at the Ministry of Magic. His scar wasn't easily hidden, it spidered across his forehead and much of his fringe came in white, but Kingsley put a hat on him saying it would keep him from being bothered. He was happy, he had coloring books and regular books to keep him amused, but he was also interested in the work Kingsley was doing.

A knock came on the door jamb and a tall woman with a monocle poked her head in.

"Hello, Kingsley," she said. "Oh, who is this?"

"My son," said Kingsley. "Haridard. We just call him Harry. Harry, this is Madam Bones."

"You know, people are still talking about how you fell in love with the man you swore to acquit and are raising a child with him."

Kingsley smiled, but rather than the smile that asked to end the conversation, it seemed a bit more wistful. Harry said nothing and was distracted by the little blonde girl peeking around Madam Bones' robes.

"This is my niece, Susan," said Madam Bones. "I was actually going to ask if you would keep an eye on her while I was in a meeting. You're the one I trust the most with a child in this department."

"That's not reassuring of our department, Amelia," said Kingsley.

She shrugged haplessly.

"Yes, I'll watch her."

Madam Bones waved Susan in and left hurriedly to make her meeting. Harry had never been one to make friends easily, but perhaps that would change without the threat of Dudley hanging over everyone. Still he was shy as she sat down next to him. She didn't seem bothered by his lack of response.

"Can I use those?" she asked, pointing to his crayons.

He nodded and moved the tray so it was between them. They colored in silence while Kingsley worked.

"Are you kids hungry?" he asked after a while.

"Starved!" said Susan.

Harry just nodded.

"I'll see if I can't track down the sandwich trolley," he said, standing up. "I think I heard they've also got cobbler for today. Will you two be alright for a few moments?"

They confirmed and he left. Susan turned to Harry looking much more relaxed.

"We can talk when the grownups aren't busy," she said. "When did you get 'dopted?"

"A… a year," said Harry.

"Your eyes are pretty," Susan continued. "And I like your hat. Can I try it on?"

"Okay." Harry took it off and handed it to her. She put it on and it slipped over her eyes. "It's your color."

She giggled and he smiled. He never made anyone laugh like that before.

"Well, look at you," said a man, sticking his head in. What was he called again? Proudfoot. "You kids having fun?"

Susan went quiet, she didn't seem to like him much. She gave Harry his hat back, which he put on after sweeping his fringe back so it wouldn't be in his eyes as much. Proudfoot tipped his head and his eyes widened. Before he could say anything, Kingsley bumped him out of the way carrying sandwiches and juice boxes.

"Here we are," he said. "Proudfoot, did you need something?"

"What did you say your son's name was again?"

"Haridard."

"Right… er, I was just passing by."

"Well, I suggest you return to work," said Kingsley. "I don't want to spend my weekend checking over paperwork."

He scurried off and Kingsley sat back down. Susan turned quiet again, but had scooted closer to Harry while she ate her peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Then there was a crowd of people. They were all pointing and chattering excitedly while a man in a lime green bowler hat pushed to the front of the crowd.

"Kingsley!" he said. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?" asked Kingsley. "I am a detective, not a mindreader, Minister."

"Is this boy Harry Potter?"

Harry felt cold. Oh no… this man was sent by Vernon and Petunia. But why would they want him back? They hated him.

"No," said Kingsley. "This boy is my son, Haridard Shacklebolt. Yes, we call him Harry for short, but I would not assume every Cornelius is you, Minister."

The man turned an unsightly shade of red and Harry felt on edge. Why was everyone looking at him like this? He didn't like it. Susan reached out and held his hand.

"But looking at the boy, he looks exactly like his father!"

"Minister, I assure you I am from Nigeria and Harry here is South Asian."

"I mean his real father!"

"Kingsley and Sirius are my real fathers!" Harry shouted indignantly.

Minister Cornelius glared at him, but he was too mad to shy down now.

"Oh, please, like anyone believes those two would actually get married," said Proudfoot. "Y'know, there was a rumor that you were kidnapped and Dumbledore has been trying to return you to your rightful place."

"Go on, boy, tell us your name."

"Haridard Shacklebolt."

"Your real name!"

"Haridard Shacklebolt!"

"Enough of this foolishness!" Minister Cornelius reached over to grab the hat Harry was wearing. "Remove this hat, boy, we will be able to tell who you are."

"No!" Harry tugged his hat down.

"Remove the hat boy!"

"His head will get cold!" said Susan.

"Shut up!"

"I know you didn't just tell my dear niece to shut up," came Madam Bones' cool voice. "Because if you did, I would be quite cross. She's the only family I have left you know. Now what is going on here?"

Minister Cornelius turned a shade of green similar to his hat. He turned to face Madam Bones who pushed through the crowd.

"Amelia," said Minister Cornelius. "Please, see reason. Dumbledore has been very concerned with Harry Potter's whereabouts since he has disappeared from the care of his family. You see, he explained that there were blood wards for his safety."

"The Dursleys? I doubt there were such wards. I have sent my assistant to check over the house and she assures me that there is no trace for blood wards. Which would still be active even in Mr. Potter's time away from them."

"Well, this boy looks just like young Harry!" said Minister Cornelius. "If he would just remove his hat, all arguments will be laid to rest."

"Certainly not. His head will get cold."

As the wizards broke into an uproar, Harry couldn't help but think that Sirius would hate missing out on it all.