A/N: I know this may seem like a Molly Weasley bashing fic, but it's not. I like Mrs. Weasley a lot in canon - I do think she's a bit hard on Sirius in OotP, but he's my favorite character so that might also be why. This was me trying to mimic that part in the book, but changing it to my own uses for the plot line. I personally have always interpreted Molly as an overprotective, but loving, mother, and I think this shows her struggle in possibly having to "give-up" a child she considered to be like a son, for his own good. In canon, I don't really think Sirius and her hated each other, and I'm not going to make them hate each other in my story either. They'll butt heads, but in the end, they're on the same team and it's going to stay that way. Remember to review, and enjoy!

After a hard night alone for both Harry and Sirius, the day of the trial had finally arrived. Harry was removed from his cell and allowed to shower for the first time in a week, and was delivered some of his nicer clothes from home. With the clothes came notes from his friends, some Order members, and his guardians. Ron and Hermione's notes were short and sweet, and Harry had the idea that Mrs. Weasley hadn't told them the extent of what Harry had been through in the past week.

Sirius and Remus's notes were much longer and full of encouragement for the day ahead - things like I can't wait to see you and everything will be okay adorned the papers and filled Harry with a warmth he hadn't felt since being taken away from his home. Sirius's letter included a heavy threat towards the ministry that Harry had no doubt he would carry out once the trial was over; being heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black had it's political perks, after all.

Finally, a note from Dumbledore explained his plans for defense during the trial and, if the result wasn't in Harry's favor, an escape plan back to Grimmauld Place.

Once Harry had gotten dressed, he was led down to the judge's chamber and chained to a chair in the middle of the courtroom. Harry was facing five rows that contained at least eighty chairs - the members of the Wizengamot had already been seated and many were looking at him angrily. He attempted to turn around and see who else had attended his trial. The chains prevented him from viewing the entire room, but he did get a glimpse of his father and Remus to his right - both gave him smiles and thumbs up.

One thing that concerned Harry was that Dumbledore did not appear to be in the room; the trial would be starting soon, and Harry knew he didn't stand a chance without his headmaster.

"Harry James Potter," Fudge started, giving Harry a disapproving look. "You're here to be tried for the accidental murder of Cedric Amos Diggory, as well as the use of the Unforgivable Curses. Who is your defense?"

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," a voice from behind Harry announced. The billowing blue robes passed to Harry's right and he couldn't help but smile a little - his saving grace had arrived.

"Ah, yes. Albus, I see you got our note that the time had been changed." Fudge said menacingly.

"Actually, I didn't, but by some happy mistake, I was at the Ministry three hours early." Dumbledore said with a shrug, moving to stand beside Harry.

"Okay, yes well. The evidence against Harry is abundant, so I think perhaps we should take a vote-" Fudge started, but he was cut off by Dumbledore.

"Actually, Minister, I insist that we try Harry under veritaserum. I know that it is not allowed to be used on minors, but from what I have discovered of Harry's treatment this past week, it seems that many laws concerning the trial and punishment of underage wizards have been neglected. If he agrees, you will be allowed to ask him whatever questions you please." Dumbledore said, turning to face Harry.

Fudge hesitated for a moment. "Now Dumbledore, I don't think that will be necessary."

"If you are so sure that Harry is guilty, it would not hurt to take this extra precaution; it would simply verify what you already believe. After all, the Ministry has just acknowledged that Mr. Black was imprisoned unjustly for twelve years - would you want to make that same mistake again?" Dumbledore asked, raising his eyebrows.

Fudge looked thoroughly put out, but agreed nonetheless. "Mr. Potter, do you consent to questioning under veritaserum?"

Harry nodded and looked to Dumbledore as he retrieved a vial from his robes. "Here you are, Harry." Dumbledore poured the vial down Harry's throat and Harry's eyes immediately glazed over, signifying that the potion had worked correctly.

"Are you Harry James Potter?" Fudge asked him.

Harry nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Is your birthday July 31, 1980?"

Another nod.

"How long have you been living with your godfather?"

"A year exactly from yesterday."

"Did the Triwizard Cup transport you somewhere other than Hogwarts?"

"Yes, a graveyard."

"Did you kill Cedric Diggory in that graveyard?"

"No, Peter Pettigrew did on Lord Voldemort's orders."

Gasps were heard around the room and Fudge turned a horrid shade of red. Sirius was beginning to see Dumbledore's second purpose for this trial - to prove to Fudge that Voldemort had returned.

"ENOUGH." Fudge said, standing from his seat. "Dumbledore, I don't know what game you're playing-"

"No game," Dumbledore said, approaching Fudge's chair. "Cornelius, I implore you to see reason. You just heard it from Harry Potter under veritaserum - Voldemort has returned."

Fudge spluttered and shook his head. "He is not back. I don't know what you put in that veritaserum, but I won't believe it until I see him with my own eyes."

Dumbledore nodded sadly. "I worry that by then it will be far too late; but we have digressed. For the case of Harry Potter - I have watched this boy since he was eleven and, though he has not always followed the school rules perfectly, he is innately good, with a heart of gold and a sharp mind. I don't believe, regardless of whether or not it was an accident, that Harry would ever harm a fellow student. You have heard it from him under veritaserum - he is innocent. Now I will allow you take a vote; please remember, the last corrupt ministry placed an innocent Sirius Black in Azkaban to rot for twelve years. Don't allow that to become of his godson as well. Make your choice wisely."

Fudge still looked angry at Dumbledore running his courtroom, but he turned to Amelia Bones nonetheless. "Well, let's call a vote then, shall we?"

Amelia nodded. "All who find Harry James Potter guilty?"

Very few people raised their hands, to Harry's relief - of the small number, Umbridge and Fudge were both included.

"Harry Potter, you are cleared of all charges," Amelia Bones said with a small smile. Fudge looked angry, but Harry didn't take the time to consider his expression. Once the chains fell off of him, he got up and turned toward Dumbledore, who was promptly leaving the building. Before he could chase him, however, Sirius was at his side, hugging him close.

"Dad," Harry mumbled, wrapping his arms around Sirius and pressing his face into his shoulder. Sirius placed a hand on the back of Harry's head and stroked his hair comfortingly.

"I'm going to kill them all," Sirius said, his voice low with suppressed anger.

"Can we go home?" Harry asked quietly, wanting to get as far away from this awful place as possible.

As if coming to his senses, Sirius nodded. "Of course, let's get out of here. I can plot my revenge later."

"The lifts are this way," Remus said, placing a hand on Sirius's shoulder. The three made their way through the Ministry, Harry keeping his head down to avoid the press waiting for him outside. Once they reached the main atrium, they flooed back to Grimmauld Place.

Harry was shocked when he arrived at his Godfather's family home to find the entire Weasley clan waiting for him; however, Harry's long stay in a dark cell with only dementor's for company took a toll on him. He flinched at the loud sounds of welcome that he normally embraced, and cringed away from Mrs. Weasley and Hermione's hugs. Sirius and Remus noticed this immediately - Remus swiftly led Harry upstairs while Sirius yelled at them for overwhelming him.

"And how come you're allowed to see him and we're not?" Mrs. Weasley yelled in retaliation.

Sirius, who was already angry at the Ministry, turned to glare at the Weasley matriarch. "You all can see him, but in small amounts of time with less of you around him. You don't know what it's like to be locked up in a small cell and then suddenly be released back into the world. It's not an easy transition, he needs his space. As to why I can see him now, that would be because I'm his bloody guardian."

"Yes, well perhaps the Ministry did make a mistake with that choice. He deserves a parent's comfort, not whatever you have planned for him!" Mrs. Weasley said, crossing her arms. The other Weasley children, though upset at the prospect of not seeing Harry for a few more days, looked back and forth between their angry mother and a livid Sirius with confusion.

Sirius growled low in his throat, not unlike what his animagus alter-ego would do, but he was interrupted by Remus before he could say anything else.

"Sirius, Harry wants you. I've put him in your room for the time being." Remus said, taking in the situation in front of him.

Sirius nodded then looked at Mrs. Weasley one last time. "I'll bring Harry down for breakfast in the morning and we'll try this again." Sirius looked to the kids in the kitchen. "I'll let you know if he wants to talk to any of you before then, but if not, try and keep quiet in the morning until we know how Harry's going to react."

The kids all nodded and Mrs. Weasley shook her head disapprovingly, but didn't say anything else. Sirius left the room quickly and practically ran up the stairs to get to his son.

The evening continued on with Sirius telling Harry every detail from the previous Order meetings, including the contents of the prophecy that led to his parent's untimely deaths. He reached an agreement with Dumbledore that he would be allowed to do this, as long as Harry began occlumency lessons in the first term with Snape - Sirius hadn't mentioned this part to Harry yet, choosing to let him recuperate a bit before telling him about extra lessons with his least favorite professor.

Harry took the news of the prophecy fairly well, but Sirius wasn't sure if this was because he was still feeling the after-effects of being locked up with his worst memories for a week. Sirius remembered the feeling of being free from the dementor's quite well - it was a strange relief to not be plagued with the same dreadful memories for twenty four hours a day, but it also made everyday occurrences seem dull and emotionless. Harry had a glazed over look in his eye and wasn't speaking as much as he did the week before - he also constantly insisted on touching some part of his father, as if needing a reminder that he was really with him and not dreaming. Though Sirius didn't mind this, he found it odd - Harry craved affection, yes, but he often tried to hide the craving by swatting his dad away or pushing him before "grudgingly" accepting his father's love. Since coming home that morning, he welcomed Sirius's hugs, even initiated them himself multiple times; despite Sirius enjoying the closeness of his son, he was already plotting ways to destroy the Ministry for hurting his puppy so badly.

After talking for a little while longer, Harry yawned a bit.

"You've had a big day, I suspect it's time for you to go to sleep." Sirius said gently, patting Harry on the shoulder. "We set up a room for Ron and you to share, but you can stay in here tonight if you would like. This bed is bigger and it would be much more private, I can go stay in Remus's room or sleep downstairs-"

"No, stay here," Harry said suddenly, grabbing his father's arm as he went to stand up.

"Are you sure? At least let me transfigure a cot for me to sleep on, I want you to be comfortable-"

Harry cut him off again by shaking his head. "Please, Siri," he mumbled, trying to get his dad to sit back down beside him.

Sirius was now definitely beginning to worry - the few times that he had stayed with Harry during the night, Harry had been embarrassed to agree to it. Now, he was practically begging his dad to stay with him. Sirius, of course, didn't mind doing it at all, but Harry's change in personality and behavior was very concerning.

As the two settled down for a restless night, Harry lying safely under his father's arm, Sirius could only think one thing: Fudge will pay for harming my child.


As Sirius promised had the other kids, he brought a surprisingly willing Harry down for breakfast the next morning. Rest and time with his guardian's had helped Harry tremendously, and though he was still far quieter than usual, he agreed to meet the entire Weasley family at breakfast that morning. Despite this improvement, Harry still insisted to sit between Remus and Sirius at the table, and refused to make direct eye contact when talking to his friends.

Sirius was so concerned over his son's behavior, he didn't notice the change in the conversation that Harry was having with Hermione and Ron - he only realized it had turned to something unpleasant when Molly let out a yell of protest at Harry's extensive knowledge of the Order meetings. Harry practically jumped out of his seat at the sudden loud noise and Sirius went to scold her for her behavior, but she beat him to it.

"Why on Earth does the boy know so much about the Order and the prophecy, Sirius? He's not adult… he's not James!" Molly said angrily, waving her spoon in Sirius's direction.

Harry cringed - he never really thought about it that way before. Sirius was a very affectionate parent, but he also treated Harry as if he was an adult, as if he were a friend. Harry assumed it was just because his father thought he was mature, but could it be for a different reason?

"I know who he is, thanks Molly." Sirius said through gritted teeth. Harry looked up at him and saw his normally warm silver eyes were a stormy grey color.

"Well then, treat him like you do! Clearly you're not doing a very good job considering you seem to think-"

"Molly," Remus warned, his expression looking angry as well.

"Well he's not, Remus! I would never burden my children with the knowledge that he's given Harry at such a young age." Molly said defiantly, eyeing her children as if daring them to argue with her.

"He's not your son," Sirius said, spreading his hands on the table as if preparing to pounce.

"He's as good as! Who else has he got?" Molly said, narrowing her eyes.

"He's got me!" Sirius said, standing up quickly.

"Yes, well," Molly said, beginning to stir the pot of food she was laboring over. "It's been rather hard for you to look after him while you've been in Azkaban, hasn't it?"

This was too much for Harry - he respected and loved Mrs. Weasley, but he loved his dad so much more. He couldn't sit around and listen to her put Sirius down for things that weren't his fault. Not wanting to let his rage out at her, considering she had treated him like a son for years, he simply got up and left the room.

"Oh, Harry dear!" Molly called, putting the spoon she was stirring with down and beginning to make her way around the table towards the door.

"Don't you dare," Sirius growled, his eyes following her.

She stopped abruptly. "Pardon?"

Sirius started walking in her direction. "If you go try and speak to him now, he'll do one of two things: he will either blow up on you for asking what's wrong when he's clearly angry, or he will tell you he's fine and won't open up at all. I know him well enough, being that he's my son, to know that he needs a few minutes to calm down before I go talk to him. Not you, ME."

Molly glared at him for a second and Sirius, knowing that he too needed a moment alone to calm down before he spoke to Harry, decided to end the conversation. "He's legally my son, Molly. Regardless of your own opinion of me, quit putting me down in front of him. You've got seven children of your own, let me keep my boy."

Molly shook her head, but turned back to making dinner. Sirius knew that this probably wouldn't be the last argument that they had like this, but he would address that later. Right now, he needed to go to his room for a few minutes before he spoke to Harry to collect his thoughts.

He left the kitchen and walked upstairs to the third landing, reaching the dark green door that bore the nameplate "Sirius," and opening it. He was surprised to find Harry sitting on the edge of his bed, looking out the window.

Sirius cleared his throat then walked around to the side of the bed Harry was on and sat beside him. He didn't speak, wanting Harry to initiate the conversation since he had come to his room instead of his own.

"She's not being fair to you," Harry finally spoke, looking up at Sirius.

Sirius chuckled and shook his head, "Most people aren't."

Harry frowned and looked back at his lap. Sirius recognized that something beyond Molly's words was bothering his son, so he grabbed Harry's chin and gently prodded it upwards to meet his eyes. "Something else is bothering you. What's wrong puppy?"

Harry sighed and attempted to look away, but Sirius's light grasp on his chin prevented that. Harry bit his bottom lip, but then finally mustered up the courage and spoke. "You must miss my dad a lot."

Sirius was confused for a moment, before he remembered Molly's words. "Ah. Yes, Harry, it's been fourteen years and not a day goes by that I don't miss your dad. I still grieve for him because he is no longer on this Earth; however, I love and take care of you because of a promise I made him months before you were even born, when he first asked me to be your godfather. Within that promise, I decided I was going to love you as if you were my own. That's who you are to me puppy: Harry James Potter, my godson, my son, and one of the most brilliant people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I don't see you as James or think of you like that."

"Really?" Harry asked, relief sweeping through his features.

"Oh yeah," Sirius said with a smirk. "I never would tuck James into bed or kiss his head when he was upset and I definitely never changed his nappies when he was little… I changed your's though, and they were vile. Who knew a one year old could make such a-"

"Okay, I get it!" Harry rolled his eyes but he had to bite his lip to keep from smiling.

Sirius put his arm around Harry's shoulders and pulled him closer, kissing the top of his head. "Really, if anything, you're personality is like Lily's. You're kind, caring, and innately good. You're humble and you wouldn't even dream of bullying or picking on someone. You may look like your father, but you act like your mother - you even have her temper! Although Moony claims that's gotten worse since you started living with me, so maybe you actually picked up on my temper…"

Harry rolled his eyes again, and placed his head on his father's shoulder. "Mrs. Weasley really wasn't fair to you about Azkaban though. You couldn't help that; and besides, you've already given me the best year of my life since being out. As much as I appreciate her and what she's done for me, I'll never see her like my parent… I can't. That's Ron's family, not mine. You're my family."

Sirius didn't comment, but pulled Harry closer and rested his chin on top of the thick, black hair. After a comfortable silence, he finally spoke again. "Listen puppy, don't worry about what she says to me. You handled it well today, just leave the room if you think you're getting too angry. She has done a lot for you in the past and I don't want anything to come between Ron and you because of me. After all, she's not going to stop putting me down; our personalities don't click and she doesn't agree with me about my parenting techniques. Just try and ignore it, and know that I love you so much, okay?"

Harry burrowed deeper into his father's embrace and mumbled, "I love you too, dad."

The two stayed like that for a long time, not noticing the pairs of eyes watching them in admiration and slight jealousy.


"Molly," Remus started once Sirius left the kitchen. "That was completely unnecessary."

Molly turned to Remus, but didn't say anything.

"I think you did more damage to Harry just now than Sirius ever has by telling him about Voldemort. Harry adores Sirius - he's never known a parent and grew up in an abusive and neglectful home. He finally gets someone to call 'dad,' and you go and give the idea that Sirius only cares for him because of James. That's not fair to Sirius or Harry and you know it."

Molly bristled and shook her head. "Harry is fifteen years old, Sirius acts as if he's got his best friend back!"

"No," Remus said gently, but firmly. "He doesn't. Maybe around the kids and you, but you don't see them when Sirius tucks Harry in at night, or when he hugs him after a bad nightmare involving the tournament. You don't see him when Harry's been injured, you don't see how much he worries himself sick about his son. Or how about when Harry gets himself into trouble? You don't see Sirius discipline him. You didn't watch Sirius agonize this past week while Harry was locked away, blaming himself. You didn't see Sirius run to Harry yesterday when they announced that Harry was cleared of all charges. You didn't hear Harry beg for his dad when he got here yesterday. But me? I've seen and heard all of it. I've also seen Sirius and James together, and I can tell the difference between parental love and affection, and brotherhood. Sirius was James's brother, but now he's Harry's parent. Just because they get along well and are happy together does not mean Sirius is looking for a James replacement. You owe him an apology for that."

Molly pursed her lips, but didn't speak.

Remus sighed. "Do I need to lay it all out for you?" When Molly didn't respond, he shook his head. "Follow me," he commanded, walking out of the kitchen. He waited outside the door to ensure Molly was going to follow him without her children, then made his way towards the staircase.

Remus quietly stopped outside of Sirius's cracked door and beckoned Molly over. "See, look at them. Does that look like friends to you? I wouldn't kiss Sirius on the forehead the way he just did to Harry, personally, and I do consider him to be my best friend."

Molly looked sadly at the two, but Remus noticed a slight bit of resentment in her eyes. Remus sighed - it probably was hard for Molly to see that Sirius was what Harry wanted as a full-time parent, despite all the time she had spent taking care of him in the past.

"Molly, Harry cares a lot about your family and you, but he also loves Sirius deeply. He already has Snape insulting James at every turn, don't demean the only dad he has ever known right in front of him. Sirius and you can work out your differences when the kids return to school, okay?" Lupin said gently, moving away from Sirius's open door.

Molly took one last look at the two before nodding slowly. "Tell them whenever they're ready that we're going to start cleaning the sitting room, Harry is welcome to sit with us, but I don't want him to spend his time cleaning today, especially after all he's been through."

Remus nodded and smiled slightly at her parental nature - the woman would never learn. "I'll leave that up to Harry. Thanks Molly."

Remus watched her walk back down the stairs to the kitchen before turning back to Sirius's door. He wasn't surprised to see Harry still being embraced by his dad; Sirius, on the other hand, was staring at Remus, a small smirk playing on his features. Remus shook his head at his friend, then slowly moved inside to join his small family. Harry may not be the same for a while, but they were finally all together, and the three of them could make it through anything the war threw at them - they were living proof of that.