Previously on Defiance…

"You are late."

Harry looked up at the pompous moron smirking widely at him from his seat; obviously hoping, to get him framed and sent to Azkaban just as Sirius had been. He tilted his head curiously and drawled out. "Am I?"

"Yes." Fudge could not stop his excitement from escaping his words. "You were supposed to report around half an hour ago. You think you are above the Wizengamot, don't you boy?"

"Well," Harry drawled, "it seems that the Ministry failed to send a notification on time. Not surprising, since the lack of timely action is something the Ministry is actually competent in. Don't you think, Cornelius?"

Daphne watched the ongoing trial sitting next to her father in the shadows. The heir apparent of Ancient and Noble families had the right to be present in the court sessions if only to observe and learn how the protocols and procedures work. Daphne had previously attended some five other sessions, though none of them had acquired even half of the interest as this one.

Perhaps the reason could be summed up in the fact that the result of this session would have significant impacts upon her family and herself.

She looked at the center of the raised platform, where a young Mister Harry Potter was loud mouthing off the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. While she knew that a show of power was necessary to gain control over the motion, but she could not help but wonder where her Slytherin dueling-partner had vanished off, leaving behind the immature specimen who was mouthing insults towards Fudge and his undersecretary.

"Well," Potter drawled, "it seems that the Ministry failed to send a notification on time. Not surprising, since the lack of timely action is something the Ministry is actually competent in. Don't you think, Cornelius?"

"I am the Minister of Magic, and you will address me with respect." Fudge responded pompously, the irritation at the boy's casual insult getting to him.

"And you will address me as Lord Black, as is my proper position." Potter deadpanned, "Unless of course, you are willing to commit a serious faux pas by ignoring the traditions of the Ancient and Noble Houses, and considering that I hold two lordships from the Ancient families, it will be two faux passes. Go on Cornelius, I dare you."

"What is he doing father? This is not him." She whispered. "Something is wrong. He is usually calm and composed, not this boisterous brat who is insulting anyone and everyone standing against him."

Cyrus Greengrass leaned towards his daughter and whispered gravely, "Honestly, I was thinking the same. While the initial entrance is sure to turn a lot of heads, that loud behavior is going to turn off some of them. If he thinks that Gryffindorish behavior will help him, he is severely mistaken."

Daphne almost chided her father for speaking negatively about Gryffindor, after all, he was her ancestor and- she cut off the thought and looked back at the show.

What is wrong with you, Potter? The Potter I knew would never behave that childishly in public.

"This is the second time you have committed another faux pas, Fudge," Potter yelled suddenly. "As far as the letter, I have been called to testify if I am holding the Black Lordship illegally. Since I am the Lord of Black unless proved otherwise, I am not going to be forced and demeaned by sitting on that chair."

Daphne wished that the floor would break and just swallow her whole. To think that Potter could be this… she couldn't help herself, this brash Gryffindor, was unfathomable. To reveal his lordship was one thing, but to act like this… either she didn't know Potter at all, or something else was going on. Something she resolved to find out.

"Enough," Cyrus whispered angrily. "I will have to intervene and end the discussion; else he is going to create a very bad image of himself." As soon as he stood up, the magic pervading the third tier dissipated the shadow obscuring him and revealed his face to the rest of the audience.

"Lord Black is right." He hoped that his presence would make Potter remember what he was truly here for, and make him understand that he was doing things the wrong way. Unfortunately, Fate had other ideas.

Dolores Umbridge, the Minister's senior undersecretary seemed to take Potter's attitude as a major offense and glared angrily, as she yelled, "Dementors, force this unruly boy on the chair."

Crap.

A seven-feet tall, dazzlingly bright, thestral Patronus materialized beside the boy. However, that wasn't the only thing that was shocking. The boy had not even lifted a finger, forget to wave his wand, but then that meant-

A wandless, corporeal Patronus.

Damn.

Cyrus slowly receded into his seat as he whispered to his daughter, his voice filled with awe. "He can cast a corporeal Patronus, wandlessly?"

"I do believe that I mentioned that in my letters." Daphne snapped, her eyes gazing at the ethereal creature, and at its master who was, from what it seemed, gloating his skills in public.

Something is very wrong. Very, very wrong.

"Father, could I talk to Potter for a while? I need to put some sense into him."

Cyrus simply sat unmovingly, and after a pause, answered her, "The way things are going, you would either have all the time in the world to drive some sense into him or else none. This is going to become a do-or-die case. I know Fudge. Potter has insulted him and pushed him way too far, and now he will begin to fight back with anything and everything he has got."

Daphne could not be sure what to think of that.

"As impressive as the display was, Mister Potter, please keep yourself from demonstrating magic inside these hallowed halls. Senior Undersecretary Umbridge, please refrain from making absurd statements and stay quiet." Ordered the stern voice of none other than Amelia Bones, the Head of the DMLE.

"Of course, Madam Bones, after all, it only manifested to protect me." Potter offered, as the thestral vanished out of existence, still leaving a warm feeling inside the courtroom.

Of course, there was nothing about proving your superiority in that move. Daphne thought sourly.

"Now that we have got that out of the system," Fudge began indulgently, "let us begin."

Only if…

"Do you have a defense, Mister Potter?" Madam Bones offered. Now there was a 'true' neutral. Madam Bones, despite the fact that her House represented the Light faction, was remarkably neutral in her dealings. Daphne hoped that Potter would not go ahead and insult the most sensible member in the ministry.

"The accused wishes to defend himself." Harry returned in clear tones.

So far so good.

Cornelius Fudge grinned as he stood up. "You are underage; hence you are not legible to-"

"How much of a moron are you, Fudge? Did that Minister seat swallow your brain and replace it with your arse?" Potter countered sarcastically, as he raised his right hand, and the Black ring shone brightly. "I am Lord Black, and hence, completely in my right to represent myself." The anger in him was easily distinct, what with the way his eyes were pulsing brightly. He turned to Madam Bones, "I hope there is no legal problem in me defending myself?"

"None, Mister Potter," Amelia replied if a bit frostily.

Great! He just had to go ahead and irritate Bones as well. Way to go, Potter! Daphne thought sarcastically. She shook her head in frustration. A part of her could not help but feel that being with Potter in public would be harmful to her reputation, but another part of her could not help but feel worried about the sudden changes in him. This wasn't the charismatic person, who had her on her toes during training. This wasn't the person, who held to his secrets dearly and played his cards close to the chest.

What is wrong with you, Potter?

Her mind went back to a conversation she had had with her father the previous day.

"Daphne, there is something I need to discuss with you," Cyrus replied softly, relaxing beside his daughter on the couch. Daphne raised her eyebrows. Her father had come to her room instead of calling her to his Study. He was willing to let her be completely comfortable, while he discussed something important with her. Everything was telling her that this discussion was going to be very, very important.

"What is it, Father?"

"How well do you know, Potter?"

Daphne considered the statement. She had played with words and diplomacy since she was eight. For some reason, either her father was being too blatant with her, or he was trying to fish out certain information.

"In what sense?"

Cyrus looked amused. "I mean, as a person. He is teaching you, so I expect he must share something about himself with you too. I just want to know what his ideas and his motivations are."

Daphne considered his question. How well did she know Potter? She glanced at her father who was obviously waiting for an answer. "Potter… Potter is different. He is powerful, but I have already mentioned that to you. He is a good teacher, despite his annoying ways and his blasted ability to get on my nerves…," she added with a frown.

Cyrus raised his eyebrows. "My, my, so you did find a boy who has the ability to get on your nerves. I don't know if I should be impressed with him or feel sorry for him."

Daphne blushed at her father's implication but she controlled her facial expressions quickly. "Nothing like that, Dad." She added quickly.

"Okay, you shift from Father to Dad in the middle of a serious discussion. Potter seems to indeed, get on your nerves, enough to divert you." He commented shrewdly, causing her to roll her eyes. His smile suddenly vaporized as his face turned more serious. "You remember our discussion before you left for Hogwarts?"

Daphne nodded.

"I have decided to make some changes, but I want your consent before I do so."

"Is this because of the potential Potter-Black influx into our alliance?" Daphne asked, and her father nodded. "I thought so."

"If Potter-Black joins us, it will strengthen our block strength significantly. Besides, we can cash the fame of the Boy-who-lived, especially if your boy can find it in himself to defeat the dark lord."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "He is not my boy."

"He might as well be," Cyrus winked, "-given how much time you spend with him."

"Please just get to the point." Daphne returned primly, pursing her lips. Cyrus guffawed and continued. "As I was saying if Potter-Black joins the neutral faction, my little venture with Astoria will be next to useless. Now you on the other hand-"

"You want me to become actively involved with him." Daphne surmised.

Cyrus sighed. "Actually, it is a little more than that. The rest of the neutral families will want some assurance more than the influx of Potter-Black into our faction, especially since it will attract the attention of the dark lord over our faction. People wouldn't want to be in our block unless they have an assurance that Potter-Black will come to their aid." He paused, "this might be the biggest venture and the biggest risk I am about to take."

Daphne nodded slowly, realizing the true scheme of things. "What do you want me to do?"

Cyrus held her shoulders, and pressed them comfortably, as he continued, "The return of the dark lord, is going to bring more public attention to Potter, well more than he already has anyway. If you are staying around him, sooner or later you will be spotted with him."

"And?"

"I want you to betroth yourself to him."

Daphne widened her eyes. "You are serious."

Cyrus got up and walked towards the open window. "Daphne, you know it very well that sooner or later, you will have to marry some pureblood scion to continue the family name. You have lived at Hogwarts for four years now. Do you think you would prefer to marry someone else?"

Daphne shook her head. It actually made a lot of sense. She had always been enthralled by power, and Potter had it in spades. Besides, beneath all of his theatrics, it was a fact that he had this… a strange thing about him that kept her on her toes every single time. Ever since they had begun their sessions, she had found herself looking forward to them more than the school classes. Could she live her life with him? Frankly, she was attracted to Potter, but there was no love between them. Sure, Potter had moved forward from treating her like scum to a friend, and she had changed her initial perception about him, but marriage…?

"What do you think, Daphne?" Cyrus stressed.

"Can I," she looked at him hopefully, "-can I think about it?"

Cyrus nodded understandably. "Of course, my dear, take your time. Besides, even if you decide to go forward with this arrangement, there is the difficulty of convincing Potter to actually agree with it in the first place."

"I- I understand."

"Good. Did he tell you anything about his plans for the trial?"

Daphne shook her head. "No, he said that he and Black had planned it all out."

Cyrus just sighed. "Think about it. You can answer me after the trial."

Daphne just stared at him.

"Daphne? Daphne?"

Her father's voice shook her out of her reveries. "Yes, father?"

Cyrus looked at her worriedly. "Is everything alright?"

Daphne smiled half-heartedly. "Just thinking, Father."

"About our discussion?"

She nodded.

"Given how Potter is behaving, I can't help but agree with your fears, but the addition of the Potter-Black alliance-" he left the words unfinished.

"I know." She replied as she looked down at the happenings below.

"Sirius Black is an escaped convict." Lucius Malfoy snarled. "He is in no position to be the Lord."

"I think you should recheck your information sources, but we are dancing around the point. You say that your son is the rightful heir." Potter paused for a dramatic effect, "Then can your son do this?" He challenged, raising his fist as he called out, "Familius magicus ostendere," as a large black ethereal adder manifested beside him. "Kill anyone to attacks me." He stated loudly in Parseltongue, sending shivers down everyone's spine.

"Dark magic in the heart of the Ministry?" Dolores Umbridge yelled loudly, standing up from her seat. "I will see you in Azkaban for that."

"I was demonstrating my family magic, Dolores. Of course, someone like you would understand family magic even if it hit you in the face."

"Daphne, have you ever been to this muggle game called Table Tennis?" Cyrus asked her.

"No. Why would you ask me that?" She questioned, narrowing her eyes at the odd question.

"Well it like this- they have two players standing on either side of a long table and they hold thin bats. Not like the beater bats but more thinner, though no less sturdier-" Daphne raised her eyebrows as she listened to her father explaining her Table tennis in the middle of a Wizengamot session- "and they have this tiny white ball, not much different from a snitch except that it isn't golden and cannot fly-" he was even making animated hand movements to describe, Daphne observed. "So the two players strike the ball towards each other and if one misses, the other gains a point."

"Oh-kay!" Daphne drawled, not understanding where her father was going with this.

"Well, I can't help but sympathize with the tennis ball, since our fate is not much different from it." Cyrus gushed. "Potter is behaving bluntly one moment, and the next, he is rising up and doing something extraordinary. It is all becoming one giant roller-coaster."

Daphne couldn't help but agree with her father.

"You do not have Black blood in you, you are a Potter." Fudge called out.

"And you are an overgrown monkey but we have already established that. Now shut up." Potter turned towards Malfoy who just glared at him. Harry continued, "I suppose I am in my rights to call you responsible for taking advantage of the Black seat. Lucius Malfoy, I Harry James Potter, the Lord of Black, call you a cheater and accuse you of line theft. As Lord of Black, I cast Draco Lucius Malfoy forever from the family. May the line of Malfoy end with the death of Draco Malfoy."

"And…. There goes my last chance of having a deal with Lucius Malfoy down the drain." Cyrus whispered to himself with a long-suffering sigh. Looking towards Daphne, he asked, "Are you sure Potter and Black weren't actually joking when they said that they wanted to be in alliance with us?"

"I don't- I don't know," Daphne muttered.

"Remember the Triwizard?" Potter was explaining, "You and your Ministry saddled me with a tournament that was only for adults. That changed my status to being an adult. Moreover, this trial, in front of the whole Wizengamot, is for adults. You cannot charge me for being an adult and then try me as one." Fudge stammered but could not get anything to say.

"I think we have wasted enough time. All those who think Mister Potter is guilty of fraud?" Madam Bones began urgently. Only three hands rose up. Fudge, Umbridge, and Malfoy.

"All those who deem him innocent?"

Cyrus rose his hand, as did everyone else, except the obvious.

Finally. Daphne thought with elation.

"We are done, right?" She looked at her father. "I want to go home."

Cyrus looked at her and sighed. "You cannot leave while the session is in progress." Daphne shook her head in annoyance.

"The next point is the accusation against Harry James Potter, for the death of one Quirinus Quirrel in 1992. How does the defendant plead?" Fudge was looking like he was about to have his dinner and that Potter was a delicious dish waiting to be eaten.

Cyrus turned his head so quickly that it almost strained at the neck. "Potter was involved in the death of Quirrell? What does that boy actually do in school?"

"Honestly? I am wondering the same."

"He didn't share it?" he pressed.

"Potter is not known for sharing his secrets." She muttered.

"Well doesn't seem like it, in this case." Cyrus returned softly.

Daphne did not reply.

"The accused cannot defend himself in cases of murder. Unless you have a defense ready, we will move over with the judgment." Fudge smiled nastily at the boy who had offered to defend himself.

"This is going to be a problem. Fudge is grasping for straws. He is quite an annoyance when he does that. Unless the boy has a defendant, he will be sentenced directly by vote."

"But that's not-" Daphne refuted.

"It is the law, and Fudge knows it too well to take the advantage when he sees one."

Daphne grit her teeth.

"I have no attorney to fight this for me. I was not informed." Potter stated coldly.

"That is not the Wizengamot's fault. You are an adult, and expect to be treated as one." Fudge smiled evilly.

Daphne turned to her father. "He needs a defense, do something." Her father looked down calculatingly as if he were almost anticipating something to happen.

"The court's proceedings cannot be adjusted to suit the guilty one's conveniences. Since the accused does not have a defense, we will just have-," Fudge continued.

"Defense for the accused, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

Daphne's glance swerved towards the doorway as she saw the Headmaster of Hogwarts walk into the room.

"Ah," said Fudge, who looked thoroughly disconcerted. "Dumbledore. Yes. You — err — got our — err — message of the time and —err — place of the hearing, then?" Dumbledore smiled at him cheerfully and replied, "I am afraid not, Cornelius. Just a little friendly with the barmen at Hogsmeade. You know them and their incredible ability to chatter."

"Yes — well — I suppose we'll need another chair — I —Weasley, could you —?"

"Not to worry, not to worry," said Dumbledore pleasantly; he took out his wand, gave it a little flick, and a squashy chintz armchair appeared out of nowhere next to Potter. Dumbledore sat down, put the tips of his long fingers together, and looked at Fudge over them with an expression of polite interest. The Wizengamot was still muttering and fidgeting restlessly; only when Fudge spoke again did they settle down.

"This complicates matters," Cyrus grumbled, "If Dumbledore succeeds any making any significant move, and it might shift the Potter-Black family to consider staying in the Light faction. I feel like I am stuck between choosing a rock and a hard place. Bring Potter-Black in and I will be taking a great risk, both personal and public. Lose it, and I will have lost a wonderful opportunity. And now the old man just had to drive in and complicate the situation."

"Cornelius, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, I can attest to the fact that Professor Quirrel was in fact, possessed by a wraith of Lord Voldemort." Dumbledore was speaking. Some people shrieked among the audience, while the reporters could be seen scribbling quickly into their notepads.

"That is not possible- the dark lord is dead and-"

"I never said he was alive. I said that it was his wraith, which had possessed Quirinus. I hope you are not going to start about how wraiths do not exist since then I will have to personally drag you to Hogwarts to introduce you to the sixteen wraiths that currently reside inside the castle." Dumbledore replied cheerily.

Fudge stayed silent.

"Very Slytherin, Headmaster," Cyrus whispered to himself, though Daphne could hear him clearly. She knew that Fudge was now in a tight situation. Wraiths were a completely believable concept since they were well documented. To talk about the dark lord as a wraith, it was a smart move.

"Shit, Fudge has gone silent."

"What happened?" She questioned. Cyrus looked down calculatingly. "He has just openly lost two fights—one with Potter and the other with the Headmaster. He is not going to allow the next fight which is about to come."

"Black's trial?" Daphne urged.

Cyrus nodded.

Fudge looked disappointed, but he got up. "Very well, Harry James Potter, you are free to go."

Potter was looking at him and giving him a seething glare. Then, he turned and looked at the people from the third tier. "I had expected the esteemed Ancient families to stand up for one of their own, but it seems I should have expected this coming. After all, it is almost a regular occurrence for a Black heir to be treated unjustly by the fellow Ancient families."

"Whatever do you mean?" Tiberius Odgen stood up and questioned.

"Sirius Orion Black. The original blood heir of the Black family. He was carted off to Azkaban without a trial."

"What farce is this?" Sebastian Nott stood up.

"The farce," Harry stated simply, "is that Sirius Orion Black, the true heir-apparent for the Black family, was carted off to Azkaban without a trial."

At least he is doing this part properly. Daphne mused.

"Is this true?" Cyrus stood up and looked towards Fudge questioningly. Using his intimidating looks to the maximum efficiency, he stared at Fudge who squirmed in his seat before he croaked, "I do not understand how this is important for this trial-"

"It is important for the Ancient and Noble families," countered Augusta Longbottom, who was now visible from the shadows. Fudge squirmed a little under her stern gaze before he turned to Amelia and replied, "Amelia, please fetch for the trial transcript for Sirius Orion Black."

Amelia who had already looked into the matter when Black had escaped from Azkaban and looked back at Fudge. "There isn't one. Black was never given a trial, I tried to tell you but you put it off, citing it as incorrect information."

"How is that moron the Minister of Magic?" she questioned.

"Because he is the safest bet," Cyrus answered offhandedly. In answer to her inquisitive look, he explained swiftly. "Understand one thing, Daphne. The real power of the legislative lies with the Wizengamot, especially the Ancient families. While the Ministry holds the power, the ancient families hold the power over the Minister."

"Then why not replace him and put someone better?"

"Why do that? He is doing a fine job." Cyrus replied offhandedly.

"Seriously? I have seen Hufflepuffs more intelligent than him." Daphne retorted.

"And who told you that the Minister held his position because of his intelligence?"

"Of course he-What?" Daphne exclaimed in confusion.

Cyrus laughed bitterly. "Fudge is not Minister because he has the ability. He is Minister because he is a truly neutral person and susceptible to manipulation. The Ancient Houses can manipulate him very effectively to suit our ways and Fudge still functions quite effectively despite all of that. Why do you think Albus Dumbledore allows him to stay in office despite all of the negative press that Fudge is spreading about him? The man could boot out Fudge in a week if he wanted to."

"Oh."

"Though, I think he is about to blow the shit out of proportion."

Daphne did not reply but looked at the ongoing drama.

Fudge gave the look of a trapped animal and tried to fight out. "I did not know anything about it, but it doesn't matter. If he did not receive a trial, I am sentencing him now. Send him to Azkaban and administer the Dementor's kiss on him." He continued indignantly.

"I oppose," Cyrus stood up. "A blood heir was illegally imprisoned for over twelve years. I demand that the man is freed unconditionally, accused or not."

"I am sorry, Lord Greengrass," Umbridge tried, "that is not posse-"

"Madam Umbridge," Potter snapped, "Please, shut up," raising the irate witch's ire. He looked up and addressed the audience. "As Lord Black and Lord Potter, I implore the Ancient Houses to stand and support me, and help free Sirius Orion Black under the decree of Corporal Lordship act, as our esteemed Minister stated at the start of the session."

"I should make a move before anything unexpected happens," Cyrus whispered before standing up. "I speak on the behalf of the neutral faction, and I believe that Sirius Black should be given a DMLE trial, at least for formality's sake, since it is obvious that Lord Potter doesn't believe Sirius Black guilty of betraying his parents to the dark lord." He called out.

"On behalf of the Light faction, I second the motion." Augusta Longbottom concurred.

"Very well," Amelia stood up. "Let a notice be released. The Dementor's kiss on sight order is revoked and Sirius Black is summoned to a trial at DMLE Headquarters for his official trail regarding the death of twelve muggles and Peter Pettigrew. He has twelve days to report to the DMLE. Case dismissed." She banged the gravel with the hammer.

"How about now?"

Every single eye turned towards the entrance, as a cloak billowed at the entrance, as Sirius Orion Black, you-know-who's right-hand man and the killer of Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles, lifted off the invisibility cloak off himself. Every eye stared at him, while Harry Potter looked at him, amused.

Sirius tried to gauge everyone's reaction and finding the stupefied faces staring at him but found himself at a loss.

"Umm… Taa Daa?"

One hour later…

"Tell me, Potter, did you just leave your subtlety outside the door when you went inside the courtroom?" Daphne whispered at him coldly. Sirius had been cleared of all accusations and had been rewarded with a proper place in Britain. The court had ruled that the Ministry would print an apology towards Sirius Black, and try to help him regain his original reputation, and had even offered compensation because of the injustice against him.

They were sitting in the drawing room of Greengrass Manor, with Daphne and her father sitting on one side with Potter and Black sitting on the other side of the table.

"What do you mean?" Potter replied- his tone a little heated than usual. Cyrus seemed to have sensed something and asked him slowly. "Tell me, Mister Potter, did you drink anything before attending the court session?"

Harry looked at him with confusion before answering, "Why yes, Sirius did bring me a glass of… liquid courage… was it?"

Daphne's eyes flashed angrily as she spun towards Black who looked seemingly unfazed. "You. Gave. Him. Firewhiskey. Before. A. Trial?"

Sirius almost raised his hands in surrender. "He was fretting and was becoming nervous. So I decided to get him some liquid courage from his private stash." Sirius defended himself. Harry stilled for a moment, "What- what did you just say?"

"Um… from your private stash?" Sirius offered, not sure what was going on. Harry gulped as he slowly turned towards Greengrass and whispered. "Greengrass, fetch me some water and hellebore roots, quickly."

"But what happens-"

"Just do it." Harry retorted angrily. Daphne narrowed her eyes but said nothing, and ran towards her private potions laboratory. Her father had built her one ever since she was nine. She quickly gathered some hellebore roots and collected some fresh water and-

Shit! Hellebore and fresh water. Why didn't I think that before?

She spun back and raced back to the drawing room.

After throwing up three times in quick succession, Harry returned to the drawing room, looking severely nauseated and sick. "Next time, Sirius, please don't touch my private stash."

"I am guessing it wasn't firewhiskey in them, was it?" Cyrus surmised.

"No, just an experimental version of the Draught of Rage."

Everyone sucked their breath in. "How much did you drink?"

"Three pegs? Maybe four?" Harry offered. Now that he could feel his Occlumency shields reform and was able to think clearly, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed at the way he had behaved during the session. Clearly, everyone must have been disappointed by his rowdy behavior.

"I am- I am sorry regarding my behavior. I know the way I-" he began to apologize, but Cyrus raised his hand. "It is understandable, Mister Potter. I have seen how people become under the influence of the Draught of Rage. The fact that you were sane and could think on your feet speaks volumes about your emotional control." He turned to Daphne and gave her a meaningful look. She nodded back.

"There is something else I wished to talk to you about, Mister Potter. I assume Mister Black would like to be a part of it too."

Sirius and Harry shared a mutual glance and nodded.

"Very well. Let us retire to the study. Daphne," he glanced at his daughter, "I would prefer if you would not be present in this one."

"Of course, Father." Daphne bowed and strode away.

"To the study, then?" Cyrus gestured.