A/N: I was on a roll writing today. Enjoy and review!
"Sirius? SIRIUS! What on Earth? WAKE UP!" Remus shouted, shaking Sirius's shoulders repeatedly.
"Wha-" Sirius mumbled, opening his eyes groggily and looking at his friend.
"Sirius, Harry's so confused. He woke up and you weren't there. Why would you leave him?" Remus asked, doing his best to keep his anger down.
"Oh god," Sirius mumbled, sitting up and putting his face in his hands. "Harry…"
"Are you drunk?" Remus asked, astounded.
"NO! Gosh Moony, I'm not an idiot… although that's what it feels like right now." Sirius mumbled the last part, looking down.
"Then why did you leave your son? He needs you, Sirius. He woke up to Molly, Ron, Hermione, Bill, and I sitting around his bedside, and the first thing out of his mouth is 'where's Sirius?'"
"I didn't mean to leave him for so long… I was going to explode, Moony! I came back here to get my anger out," Sirius held up his hand guiltily, which was now swollen and crusted over with dried blood. "But I had fully planned to come back once I calmed down, I didn't think he would wake up for at least twelve hours… I must have fallen asleep here… God, I'm horrible."
"Sirius, stop. You're not horrible, and even if you aren't a perfect father, you're the only thing Harry wants and needs." Remus said gently, softening now that he knew Sirius hadn't just abandoned Harry. "Second best only to James."
"God James," Sirius said, putting his face back in his hands. "I promised him, Moony. I wasn't going to let a thing harm Harry and look at what's happened! I've failed them both, two of the people I cared most about. I don't deserve to be Harry's godfather or have him call me dad or any of that. I'm rubbish."
Remus, now fully realizing what was wrong with his friend, hugged him. "Padfoot, you aren't rubbish. You had no way of knowing, how many times have we been through this? Voldemort and Pettigrew and… well, now Crouch Jr. are the enemies here; you did what you thought was best for Harry and he loves you for it. He doesn't think any less of you for your mistakes and neither would James. You're the best damn godfather I've ever seen. Now come on, your godson needs you, he thought you left him."
Remus picked Sirius up off the floor and brushed him off, then tapped his wand against his friend's hand to heal the injury. "That damn temper," Remus mumbled, slightly amused.
Sirius chuckled but still didn't meet his friend's eyes. On the way back to the hospital wing, Remus caught Sirius up on what had been happening at the ministry that night and how Fudge was reacting. Sirius's anger rekindled at the news, but he calmed himself as he thought of Harry and how much the boy needed him at the moment. As soon as they reached the large oak doors leading to the room, Sirius burst through and walked straight to his son, engulfing him in a hug that was returned gratefully.
"I'm so sorry, puppy, I didn't expect you to be awake so soon. I had to go to my quarters for a few hours, I didn't mean to frighten you." Sirius whispered, feeling Harry tighten his grip around his neck.
"It's okay, dad." Harry said, feeling much better now that Sirius was back.
Molly Weasley bristled beside the bed, clearly angry at Sirius for not being around when Harry woke up, but also recognizing how much the two cared for each other. Using her better judgement, she didn't comment on Sirius's absence, but instead turned to Harry. "Would you like to have a bite to eat now, Harry dear?"
Harry nodded as Sirius summoned a chair for him to sit on beside the bed. He grabbed his son's hand and looked at him. "Alright?" He asked gently.
Harry nodded again and accepted the plate of food Mrs. Weasley offered him. "Are we going home soon?"
"As soon as Madame Pomfrey says you can leave," Sirius said with a nod. "I'll have Moony go with me later to collect all our stuff so we can get out of here sooner."
Harry nodded again and talked politely with all the visitors for the rest of the morning. The Weasleys eventually left to let Harry get more sleep, but he didn't feel like he needed it at the moment.
He turned to his father and Remus, who were still sitting to the right of his bedside, looking at him in a concerned manner. "Has the ministry responded to what happened?" Harry asked, wanting to know what the first step in fighting Voldemort would be.
Sirius and Remus shared a look and then nodded. "Er- Fudge doesn't exactly believe Voldemort's back. Dumbledore is meeting with the Wizengamot now to discuss it all." Sirius said, rolling his eyes. "Fudge can be a pretty daft man."
"He… he doesn't believe me? Believe us?" Harry asked, surprised.
"Well, he obviously doesn't believe me. Prejudice runs deep, puppy. People thought I was a murderer for years, most people don't trust me much at all. Dumbledore and you, on the other hand, should be believed… people are just scared what that might mean." Sirius said, looking to Remus.
"The last time Voldemort gained power, he almost took everything we hold dear. Fudge is doing everything he can to deny that fact and prevent mass chaos among the public… however, in doing so, he is making a very dangerous decision. That's why Dumbledore is pleading the case now. There's also another portion of it…" Remus said, looking back at Sirius with a pained expression.
Sirius huffed and looked down. "Harry… I don't know how to tell you this. In fact, I've been told by multiple people not to tell you yet, but I won't keep you in the dark. Fudge is looking for ways to discredit you, and he thinks he's found a way to make Cedric's case seem like an accident while also making people less likely to listen to you… he's saying in the heat of the tournament, you accidentally cursed Cedric instead of the beast you were fighting. Basically, he's saying you killed him on accident and they want to try you in court…"
Harry couldn't speak, he only stared in shock. "W-what?" He finally squeaked out.
Remus nodded sadly and Sirius looked solemn. "Dumbledore's trying to get them to take away the charges. It really is a ridiculous claim. Most of the students around here believe Dumbledore and you, as well as the professor's and Cedric's parents. You're not to blame, Harry. I'll protect you with my own life before I let them convict you."
"As will I," Remus added, patting Harry's leg.
Harry nodded but couldn't find his voice. He felt his insides twist up - him, tried in a criminal wizard court? What were his charges? What could the punishment be? He had so many questions and his confusion and fear restricted him from even voicing one.
As if reading his mind, Sirius squeezed his hand. "You will not be convicted. You will return here next year for your fifth year because you have done nothing wrong. If anything, you should be applauded for how well you handled everything last night. Okay, puppy? As long as I'm here, you will not need to worry about any of the consequences the ministry threatens you with."
Harry finally found his voice. "But just say what if… what if I am found guilty? Will they…"
"No," Sirius said, and his voice held a strong bit of protectiveness. "I will never let you within one hundred miles of that prison. Don't even think about Azkaban because it won't happen - I'll willingly go back before I let you even step foot in there."
Harry was slightly taken aback by the fierceness in which his father had spoken, as well as a little concerned with his declaration about willingly going back for him. "I don't want you to go back." Harry mumbled.
Sirius smiled slightly and shook his head. "I didn't mean it like that, pup. I just meant if that was the only option, you or me, I would choose me one thousand times over. Okay?"
Harry nodded, but looked down. Remus reached up and squeezed Harry's shoulder. "I'll go pack your things, okay cub? I'm sure Pomfrey will let you leave tonight sometime."
Harry nodded again, and waited until Remus left the room before turning to Sirius. "You called me baby last night… a lot."
Sirius smirked. "Did I now?"
Harry nodded and met his gaze with a small smile.
"Does it bother you that I called you that? I didn't mean it in a degrading way, you know, I was trying to be a comforting father." Sirius chuckled, stroking Harry's bangs back.
Harry shook his head and looked back down. After a moment, he mumbled, "did you mean it?"
"Did I mean what?"
Harry glared at him for a second then rolled his eyes. "You know… do you really think of me like… like your baby."
Sirius smiled, "What do you mean 'think of you like' that? You are my baby. Even though you weren't born to me, I will protect you with my life as if you were my own. I consider you to be my kid, even if sometimes I'm a terrible father and don't deserve a son like you… you're still mine now and I'm so grateful James picked me to be your godfather. I wish he was still around so you would have two 'dads.'"
Harry smiled and nodded at his father's response, then looked back down at the bed. The two fell into a comfortable silence again. After some time, Sirius patted Harry's shoulder. "Maybe you should get a bit more sleep, hm?"
Harry nodded and looked up at him. "Will you stay with me? The entire time this time?" He teased.
Sirius smiled and said "of course." He changed into Padfoot again and climbed on the bed, this time lying completely across Harry's chest and burrowing his snout into the crook of Harry's neck. Harry chuckled and stroked the long black fur on Padfoot's back until they both fell asleep.
Madame Pomfrey had cleared Harry later that afternoon, and Sirius, Remus, and him had traveled by floo back to the Marauder's Mansion. Dumbledore had sent an owl saying that he would stop by after dinner to discuss the ministry fiasco.
Once they got settled back in, Sirius had led Harry to a couch in the den to rest more and watch the telly that Remus insisted they buy last year. Harry had asked Sirius and Remus to stay with him, so they picked out a movie and sat on either side of him.
Harry was still extremely weak from the night before and ending up sprawling out across the two of them and falling asleep - this is how Dumbledore found the three when he arrived.
"Is the news good or bad?" Sirius asked with a grimace as Dumbledore sat across from them.
Dumbledore simply shook his head. "Have you told Harry?"
Sirius nodded and looked down at his son's head where it rested in his lap.
"Well, then I suppose you should wake him. He should hear all the details so he can be prepared." Dumbledore said, the familiar twinkle in his eye disappearing.
"Puppy, wake up for me." Sirius said, shaking Harry's shoulder gently.
Harry groaned, blinked the sleep out of his eyes, and looked around. Once he noticed Dumbledore, he sat up straight. "Professor."
"How are you feeling, Harry?" Dumbledore asked kindly, attempting to smile at him.
"I… I've been better." Harry answered honestly, looking down at the floor.
Dumbledore nodded, then cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose I should tell you like it is, Harry. The Ministry refuses to acknowledge Voldemort's return - Fudge seems to be putting more worth into Rita Skeeter's writings than my own memories. For that reason, he wants to discredit you… he doesn't want the public listening to you over him. What better way to do that than to claim you accidently killed Cedric Diggory on a bout of madness during the tournament?"
Harry nodded, still looking at the floor.
"You should know that Mr. and Mrs. Diggory believe me whole-heartedly. You are not to blame Harry," Dumbledore said gently, tilting Harry's face to meet his piercing blue eyes.
Harry nodded, but still had trouble holding Dumbledore's gaze. He wanted to hear the truth of it - would he be spending the next decade in Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit, like his father?
"So, your hearing is scheduled for the first of August this summer. You will be tried for accidental murder and use of the unforgivable curse in front of the full Wizengamot. I will be your defense, and I will not let anything happen to you. Things will be okay." Dumbledore said, patting Harry's shoulder.
"Sir," Harry said tentatively, finally speaking up. "If convicted, what do those charges entail?"
Dumbledore finally broke eye contact with Harry and looked grave, "I don't doubt that it will be similar to what your father was charged with. The Ministry wants you out of the way right now-"
"You won't be going there," Sirius said with an air of finality. "I'll switch places with him if it comes to that, they didn't notice when Barty Crouch Jr. and his mother switched."
Harry looked extremely distressed at Sirius's confession. Remus put a hand on Harry's shoulder before he spoke. "Harry, you don't even have to worry about that because you going to Azkaban won't be a concern regardless. Albus will take care of it, right?"
"Absolutely, Harry. You have nothing to fear, I daresay you'll be back at Hogwarts next year causing a ruckus." Dumbledore said, giving him a small smile. "Now, I suppose I should inform you two of what the next year of Hogwarts will entail. Remus, my apologies - the Ministry will not allow me to keep you. They want to fill your position with Dolores Umbridge instead, to teach a ministry-approved course on Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'm afraid, since I have been entirely stripped of my political clout, I have no choice but to accept their decision. You are free to continue living in the castle, however. They may have the power to dismiss my teachers, but they cannot banish them from the school."
"Thank you, Dumbledore, I am grateful for the time you have given me there." Remus said, smiling at the headmaster.
Dumbledore nodded, then turned to Sirius. "Alas, they haven't tried to fire you yet, but I feel that once Umbridge arrives, she will try her best to get rid of you because of your… er-criminal background, at least in the ministry's eyes."
Sirius nodded, "as I expected."
"You will return to the castle and stay as long as you can. I need as many order members as possible there. Speaking of which, that's what I would like for you two to do this summer. Since the ministry is refusing to help us fight Voldemort, we need to alert the old crowd and reform the Order of the Phoenix. If either of you have a good location for the Order, please let me know as soon as possible."
Sirius and Remus shared a knowing look before nodding towards the headmaster. "Grimmauld Place, sir," Sirius said, though he looked rather sick at his words.
"That would work, my dear boy. I'll keep it in mind and let you know. Keep me posted on who has agreed to rejoin the order. With that, I bid you farewell. Rest now, Harry, I will be in touch soon." Dumbledore said, standing and walking out of the room, his long, light blue robes billowing in his wake.
Harry sat still in between them. Remus was the first to stand. "I'll go make a quick dinner for us."
Harry and Sirius nodded as he walked out of the den towards the kitchen. Sirius put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Alright?" He asked gently, attempting to get Harry to look at him.
Harry nodded slowly. "As good as I can be, I suppose."
"Things will get better," Sirius said. "You'll see, Moony and I won't let any harm come to you. I promise."
Harry smiled at his dad before they both stood and followed Remus to the kitchen. Things were definitely looking darker, but with a proper family now, Harry felt that he could make it through anything.
