Thanks to Some Yanks

by Reigorgas

After the Events of Halloween 1981, the three Potters were believed to have perished along with Lord Voldemort. The public, believing Sirius Black was the traitor, forced him to take his alive godson with him to America. Now at 15, Harry has to return to Britain with his Godfather and cousin, because Voldemort has returned, and Harry is the only one who can stop him. M for Safety.

10. Chapter 10

A/N: Hello Everyone and welcome to Chapter 10! Shout out to Goldzar for being an awesome beta, and helping out! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 10

Harry exited the clothing store, now with his shrunk down uniform in his jacket pocket. He was heading back to the Leaky to floo back but stopped outside of the Magical Menagerie. He pondered whether getting a pet would be worth it but stepped inside regardless. He perused the different cages of the shop, passing the dancing mice, the croaking toads, and stopped at the cats. There were a few, mostly kittens, but perched on a shelf behind them was a ginger cat with a squashed face. The cat stared at him, and he stared back, Harry felt like he recognized this cat, and was surprised when the cat leapt into his arms and starting purring. He pets the cat for a while, wondering where he'd seen this cat before, when a voice spoke from behind him.

"I can't say I've ever seen Crookshanks be this nice to someone in four years, when a young muggleborn girl came in, and wanted to get him. Sadly, the parents said no, and I haven't seen her since." Harry turned to look at the now identified shop-keep. "I've had Crookshanks for fourteen years and nobody has wanted him."

Harry gazed at the still purring cat in his arms, and stroked behind his ears, "He's a kneazle then? I don't see the tufted tail."

The owner smiled, "You clearly know your animals, yes Crookshanks is half-kneazle, meaning he looks like a cat, but has the long life of a Kneazle, so he'll live for a few more decades yet."

Harry felt a surge of fondness for the cat, and kept scratching, "I was hoping to find an owl, but I think I might leave with him as well." Still smiling, the owner led Harry over to where they were keeping the owls. The screeches of the owls were almost overpowering, but he was distracted by a distinct tug in his chest. Harry had read about this, a possible familiar was nearby. He gazed at the collection of owls, and settled on a beautiful snowy owl, who was staring back with piercing yellow eyes. Harry knew then and there this was the bird for him, the connection to it almost singing. He stuck an arm out, and the owl flew from its perch and settled on his shoulder instead, rubbing its head against his.

"I must say young man, you have a way with animals, two of my most aggressive pets here have been nothing but sweet to you, it is simply mind-blowing." The shop-keep exclaimed, shaking his head in wonder. "That there is a real picky one too, several people have attempted to buy her, but she fought every single one of them, almost like she was waiting for someone, I guess I now know who that person was." Harry smiled and stroked the chest feathers, still holding a purring Crookshanks with the other.

"I'll take them both."

He paid for the two animals, any accessories they'd need were shrunk down, and put away. He thanked the shop owner and stepped out into the alley, a content cat in his arms, and an owl on his shoulders. He looked at the bird, "I'll let you fly home girl, feel free to hunt and stretch your wings, I'll make sure you can find me." The bird hooted and nuzzled his head again, before winging off into the sky. "Now then, let's get home ourselves, I'm still hungry." He went into the Leaky Cauldron and floo'd back to the cottage. He spotted Sirius at his desk, and let Crookshanks go to explore. What surprised him the most was the cat immediately headed over to Sirius, who had turned at this point to greet Harry.

"Welcome back Harry! I was wondering when…" he was interrupted when Crookshanks leapt into his lap. "I don't believe it." He muttered, and began petting the cat, who started purring.

"I thought cats hated you Sirius?"

Sirius laughed, "Yes most do, but this cat in particular is Crookshanks, Lily's old cat. I didn't know you survived that night you furball." Crookshanks was still cuddling in Sirius's lap so Harry unshrunk the basket and food, putting the basket by the fireplace, and putting the food in the kitchen.

He reentered the den and found the two had moved to the couch, "So, this was Mom's cat from that broom story huh?"

Sirius nodded, "That was the only time he didn't like me, avoided me for days after that." Harry left the two to reconnect and headed to his room to pack his trunk with his uniform. While he did so, his thoughts came to the comments Sirius had made. Crookshanks was his mom's cat, the same cat he spent over a year of his life with as a baby, that is why he recognized the cat, and the cat recognized him. He smiled to himself, while he had a great family, and Sirius was a great surrogate father, Aunt Terri was a great mother figure, it wasn't the same as his biological parents. He missed them dearly but having another connection to the two was a welcome addition. He finished up and headed back to the den Harry joined them right as the beautiful snowy owl Harry had got came swooping in through the owl window, which was enchanted to let owls in if the wards let them in.

Sirius glanced at the bird, who had settled onto Harry's shoulder, "Who is this beautiful bird?"

Harry smiled and they both laughed as the owl puffed out its chest. "This is Hedwig," Harry said, he'd decided on Hedwig, who was an ancient German witch, known to be a patron saint of owls. The bird trilled a happy noise and nuzzled Harry's head.

"Hedwig is a very pretty owl, why'd you get her?"

Harry shrugged, "I wanted my own owl, and Crookshanks was going to stay here to keep you company while I was at school. All the open space will allow him to explore and do whatever he'd like." He rubbed Crookshanks behind the ears, who was still purring at this point, still laying in Sirius's lap. Harry excused himself again to show Hedwig her space. Entering his room, Hedwig flew immediately to the perch by the window, preening her feathers. Harry explained to the bird that the window will always be open for her, since the house is temperature regulated, making sure it was not too hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter. She gave him an affectionate peck on the hand and flew out the window, intent on exploring. At least, that is what Harry assumed. Harry heard the floo activate and there was a yelp and yowl that followed the sound. Harry rushed into the den, wand drawn, before his eyes settled on Sirius on the floor, Crookshanks was perched on the top of the couch, bristling, and a sandy-haired man was trying his hardest not to laugh. Harry took the time to observe this man while he was distracted, he was dressed well, in what looked like new robes, his face was littered with scars, and he was graying slightly at the temples. The man finally noticed Harry, and his eyes widened.

"Harry…" the man breathed, and the next thing Harry knew, he was being crushed into a hug. "I don't believe it, I thought Sirius was lying, I thought…" the man babbled on, holding Harry to him.

"Moony, let the boy go." The man, now recognized as Remus "Moony" Lupin, stepped back and held him at arms-length.

"Merlin, you look like Sirius, but with Lily's eyes."

Harry grinned in response, "Yeah, that would be the blood adoption. Apparently, I looked more like dad before then."

Remus smiled and let him go, "I bet." He looked him over, "You look healthy and strong, apparently Sirius can be a good parent."

Harry snorted and spoke over the affronted sound coming from Sirius, "Hardly, Aunt Terri was more of a parent than he ever was, but he was serviceable." Sirius pouted, while the other two laughed, "don't worry Padfoot," Harry assured him, "you were a great father to me, and I wouldn't be who I am without you."

The man smiled, and then gestured to Harry, "Remus, this is Harrison Regulus Black, my blood-adopted son, and previously known as Harry James Potter."

Harry dramatically bowed, causing Remus to roll his eyes, but frowned at the two of them, "Dumbledore told me you'd died with your parents, even though a body wasn't found"

Sirius spoke up, "That was my fault, Dumbledore never saw Harry with me when I fled that night, I'd already tucked him away by the time he'd arrived. I thought that it would be safer for him if it was believed he was dead."

Remus nodded, "It obviously has many fooled, and it was very convincing." He hugged Harry, "I'm glad you're actually alive." He then looked at Sirius, "Now then Padfoot, what now?"

Sirius grinned, "Well Moony, now we've returned to England, we have fourteen years of estate information to comb through. Both families have been neglected since the last Heads of House died, my grandfather and Prongs. What I know now, is that there are no outstanding debts or contracts, so we just have to tackle the finances and properties." Remus nodded and Sirius rose from his seat, "For now though, we have a Wizengamot meeting to attend tomorrow, and I have some letters to finish, how about you two catch up some more?" with that said, he sat down at his desk and activated the privacy runes he had installed. The two others turned their attention to each other, and Remus began asking Harry questions.

They talked for a few hours, with Remus learning more about Harry's upbringing and his time at Ilvermorny.

Soon the conversation moved to Hogwarts, "What classes are you planning on taking Harry?"

"I'm going to be taking Herbology, Potions, DADA, Charms, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Astronomy, and History of Magic."

Remus nodded, "I myself took Runes and Arithmancy, did that not interest you?"

Harry shook his head, "Ilvermorny didn't offer Arithmancy, so the only knowledge I have is from my Muggle Primary school, and that was basic at best, I'd be too far behind to consider taking the OWL class."

Remus laughed, "Fair warning, History of Magic is taught by a ghost, and most find the class to be a good naptime than a lesson." The two smiled and then Harry had a thought.

"Hey Remus? What happened to you after that night?" The man sighed and his eyes grew dull, he seemed to age another ten years.

"I… lost myself after that night. I thought you and your parents were dead, and that my other two were a traitor, and killed by that traitor. I ran. I ran to the continent where I could get away from it all, I had lost everyone I loved at that point, and I didn't know what to do." He paused and took a drink from his cup. "I spent the next fourteen years hopping from job to job, barely making ends meet, and using what extra income I had on alcohol. I drank Harry, I drank a lot, and I'm not proud of it." He huffed, "I had thought my life had ended, that nothing mattered anymore and that I was left to suffer alone." He then smiled, "I received a letter from Andromeda a few months ago stating that they had found Peter Pettigrew alive, and with the Dark Mark on his arm. He admitted in his trial to the betrayal of Lily and James and framing Sirius, and it took me time to come to terms with the truth, I had after all just spent fourteen years of my life thinking Sirius betrayed them." He took another drink, "she said that I was to be a character witness to Sirius's tribunal for exoneration, since he couldn't stand trial personally. Some of the… more traditional members wanted to charge him for his Animagus status but were denied by the evidence Sirius had registered with the ICW."

Harry moved closer and pulled Remus into a hug, "You've lived a hard life Moony, but you're here, and reunited with Sirius and I." they parted, "I can tell you that now your life is going to get better." Remus looked like he was about to respond, when the privacy wards around Sirius's desk deactivated, "About done?"

Harry called over, and Sirius nodded, "I just finished up this letter to Lord Abbot, he invited me to join the Light Neutrals."

Harry cocked an eyebrow, "Light Neutrals?"

Sirius nodded, "The Wizengamot is split into three main factions, the Traditionalists, Progressives, and Neutrals. Each faction is named after the stance they usually take, with the Traditionalists having the families most would consider 'Dark'," Sirius used Air quotes around the word dark. "Such as the Malfoys, Notts, Blacks, Carrows, Selwyns, and more. The Progressives are the 'Light Families', this consists of the MacMillan, Diggory, Dumbledore, Boot, and Crouch to name a few, if the Weasley's still had their peerage they'd be amongst this group. They call themselves the Progressives, but some can be just as bigoted as the Traditionalists, just on different things, for instance I know that Amos Diggory is strongly anti-Werewolf, which doesn't make him my favorite person, and the Crouch and Weasley families are anti-Slytherin, mainly because they believe that all Slytherins are dark and evil. The largest and most Diverse is the neutrals, which themselves are split into two factions, the Dark Neutrals, and Light Neutrals. These two factions are constantly changing, but there are a few families to make a note of. The Dark Neutrals are known to be led by the Greengrass family, along with the Parkinson and Fawley families. The Light Neutrals are led by the Bones, Abbott, and Longbottom families."

He took a breath, and then continued, "The Dark Neutrals care mostly for preserving traditions, such as the holidays celebrated by the old ways, there are a few blood purists, but for the most part, don't care much about first gens. The Light Neutrals however, have a much more sporadic spread of ideas, most, like the Longbottoms, would be members of the Progressives if they didn't care about certain traditions as well, most don't like how Dumbledore is pushing for acceptance of the No-Maj world into our own." Sirius frowned, "growing up here, I can tell why most aren't happy with Dumbledore's message, and would rather see the First Gens integrated into our society, taught our ways and why, and simply have more knowledge. I know for a fact Lily was one of those First Gens that embraced the Magical World in its entirety and followed more traditional practices. That's one of the reasons James was able to marry her, and didn't cause a massive scandal." Harry nodded, and thought over what Sirius had just regurgitated to him.

"So, what are you planning?"

Sirius shrugged, "I don't plan on committing until after this first meeting, I want to see how each group conduct themselves, and meet with a few from each group before I make a decision. I only know I won't be joining the Dark Faction." Harry nodded, he trusted Sirius's judgement, and knew that it was unlikely Sirius would be anything other than Progressive or a Light Neutral.

"What's our play for Hogwarts?"

Sirius grinned, "I was hoping you'd say that, we need to consolidate a strong platform, one built around integration and establishment of choice, not all First Gens want to celebrate Yule, or Beltane, or any of those holidays, they may want to celebrate the No-Maj ones instead. We need to strengthen the feeling of acceptance and choice, that not everyone will make the same choice, but we must accept them as such." He then tapped the side of his nose, "most of the changes will come from the next generation, so your goal is to start consolidating a solid base with the Heirs and Heiresses of these families, sadly most of the current Heads are stubbornly set in their beliefs, and can't be moved from them."

Harry nodded and then smiled, "I doubt any are ready for the return of the House of Black."

Remus and Sirius joined him, they clasped hands and stated as one, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

August 13th, 1995

The next morning found both Sirius and Harry slowly making their way through breakfast, struggling to keep their eyes open. Thomas came in, dressed for work, and gazed at the two of them.

"What time does the Wizengamot meeting begin?"

Sirius groaned and poured himself his third cup of tea, "Seven. Why they must meet so early I'll never know." Harry nodded his agreement, drinking his second cup of coffee. Remus came walking in from the den, where he'd just arrived and laughed at them.

"Good morning milords, a wonderful day it is for a meeting of crochety old men, isn't it?" They laughed and then rose from the table.

"Now then, let's get changed and ready, it's time for the world to remember why the Black family was so feared and respected." They left the kitchen to dress in their robes, before heading to the den to floo to the Ministry. They emerged from the fireplace into the atrium. Harry gazed around, observing the multiple ministry workers moving from each arrival point, whether the main entrance, apparition point, or floo, to the check-in station. He did notice, and nudged Sirius, that several wizards and witches in the same color robes as the two of them were heading towards a separate entrance guarded by two Aurors. They bid farewell to Thomas who headed towards the main entrance, and they made their way over. The two Aurors, who Sirius identified as Proudfoot and Hammer, were watching them as they approached.

"Welcome back to England Black, here for the Wizengamot session I see." Proudfoot said, checking his wand, Sirius nodded and gestured to Remus and Harry,

"Indeed, and my heir and steward are coming with me, you won't be able to identify my Heir's wand, it's American made, not an Ollivander." They weighed Remus's wand, and then Harry's regardless, and waved them through. Sirius led them to a door with the Black Coat of Arms over it, and let them into the small office space inside. According to Sirius, each hereditary seat on the Wizengamot had a room like this provided for them to conduct pre-meeting gatherings of allies, or a place to entertain guests that were looking to agree on something before. They sat down on three of the numerous chairs in the room and Sirius spoke up. "Now then, let's go over the plan again, shall we?"

Harry nodded, "The Wizengamot always opens up with announcements of Lordship elevations first. So, expect to have yourself announced, and they will swear you in. Next you get some time to make some announcements, and at that time, you will announce me as your Heir, and Remus as your steward. You will then announce your proxy of the Potter seat, and that Remus is the steward again. Produce the paperwork we got from Gringotts, it will ratify your claim, and has the added benefit of not revealing my identity, since it is signed with the Heirship seal of the House of Potter, not my name. Then, we sit back and watch the fireworks." They all smiled, and waited.

When a light above the door turned on, Sirius looked at the two of them, grinned and said, "Show time gents!"

A/N: Oh boy! Some old faces and new plans. My expression of the Wizengamot is not intended to be similar to any other writings, this is the kind of politics I want to use. If you notice, I have no such thing as Ancient and Most Noble, Ancient and Noble, etc. This is on purpose, I have never really liked that system, so they're just the Houses. ( House of Potter, House of Black, etc.) Get excited! We're about to have some real action finally! Chapter 11 will encompass the entirety of the Wizengamot meeting, and depending on how long that takes, will have more content. Chapter 12 will have a time skip to the 1st of September and the journey to Hogwarts, so we're finally getting there! Hold onto your butts!

I do have a small announcement to make. I am going to be taking a small hiatus for the Month of August. I started a new position at my job that requires a lot of my energy right now, and therefore I have less free-time to write. So chapter 11 will be released at the beginning of September. I don't plan on taking another hiatus anytime soon after this one, so I'll be back to monthly uploads.

Be sure to leave a Review, I try to respond to them if I can!

Cheers,

Rei