A/N: Awww, last chapter, right?

Wrong!
One more. I have some promises to keep. So look for an additional chapter soon, meaning before the end of the year.

A short note. Q&A and thank yous are being moved. I'm tired of the flack over this I've been getting, not so much here, but at other sites. So, starting with my next story, I'll be moving this section to the bottom of the story. I will not be stopping this. I've already explained my position on this. I think it's a common courtesy to answer questions if you can. And this is my fun. You get to read, I get to answer questions, remember? So, just start looking at the bottom from now on.

Anyway, that's all I have to say, on to the Q&A and thank yous. The rest of you, you know what to do. Skip to the chapter heading.

Kat: It would be nice to see Harry get a new 'pet'. But I think Sirius' answer was much better. Read on.

Abbsiegail: Glad I could be of some help.

Dumbledore's True Love: Oh, I'm not done with you yet, dear.

Anyway. This chapter shows what Dumbledore had to say to Sirius.

Thank you for the holiday wishes. I had a wonderful Christmas. Hope yours went well also.

Coqui: As you saw from the author's notes, I'm not cutting the thank yous or my Q&A section, but I am moving it after this. I hope that makes it better for you. And I hope it is an improvement that everyone will enjoy.

Hayleyhedwig 11: You'll be happy to know that there are several stories in the works involving Harry and Sirius. The Bonds That Tie should be started some time in January, which is a Baby Harry story with Sirius. The sequel to Family Life is being worked on, but don't expect that one any time soon. Although not as long as Family Life, I suspect it to be somewhat of a 'weekend reader'. I'm also working on a fairly interesting story involving Remus and Snape, just because I received so many nice reviews about that relationship.

She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: (lol) I can't stand it!

Anyway, HERE IT IS! HERE IT IS! HERE IT IS! (That's all I have ta say.)

As for Diamond's review: I'm honored that I got you to read a Snape story. I hope I can get you to read any others I put up as well.

No, can't post early. Sorry.

Pigwideon: Merry Christmas to you and Happy New Year.

O.K., I'll make you a deal. You first!

Really, tell me your idea first, then I'll tell you who was responsible. I love conspiracy theories. And now you got me all curious. (Oh, and by the way, yes, it was it the story who was responsible. Snape said it.)

Diamond was a one shot, short Christmas story. No Sequel (although 'Diamond' shows up in other stories. Strange how a cat can become a major character).

Ostia: Happy Holidays to you. I'm very glad you liked the latest chapter. And I'm very pleased you liked Diamond. I thought it was sort of a cute little idea. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Anime Echo: I'm very pleased so many people responded so well to that scene. I wasn't exactly sure how it would be received. But no one flamed me, so,....yah!

Basilisk: Once again, as stated above, I'm glad that scene was so well received. Thank you.

Marie Potter: Oh, it wouldn't have been any fun at all if he only heard part of it. So, yes, Dumbledore heard the whole thing from beginning to end.

Jeanne: Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed that scene especially.

Lin-z: I felt it was fairly unlikely Harry would be out playing quidditch the next day, that is true. Besides, a lot of 'quality time' can be written into recovery time, no? I'm surprised more authors don't take advantage of this. But, who am I to help the competition?

Zimmy Russell: Ahhhh, actually, dear, they do sell Jolt Cola in Florida, you just have to know where to look or have the right inside connections.

Ohhhhh, another person saying I'm better than J.K. Rowling. I'm both honored and a little shocked anyone thinks I'm that good.

As I wrote before, unfortunately, I can't tell you more about myself than I already have.

P.A.R. will write more. Check out above answers for coming attractions.

As for Diamond, no, no, it's not that you've been sleeping. It's that you're not reading fast enough. Analisa is in Family Life. She shows up (named) about Chapter 38 if I'm not mistaken. To make a long story short, she's Snape's girlfr....colleague!

Oh, wait! You finished Family Life. (Just saw that.). O.K. then. You should know who Analisa is then.

Arabella is 'sort of' a made up character. I'm just a late jumper-on of the 'Crazy old Mrs. Figg next door to the Dursley's is the Arabella Figg that Dumbledore told Sirius to go contact as one of the old crowd at the end of Book Four and is therefore obviously a witch, by heavens, how could you miss that hint?' crowd.

Past that, her past and her relationship with Sirius, which by the way, I'm a huge supporter of (Sirius needs a 'steady' girlfriend), are mine.

I am trying to do some reviewing over my 'forced vacation'. But the time is really going by fast and soon P.A.R. has to go back to her real job. So I don't know how many, if any, I'll get done.

Lotesse: Let's see, sounds like an English teacher......writes like an English teacher....I'm gonna guess....an English teacher?

The Snape/Lupin plotline went to its own story because I got so many nice reviews asking about it. It will continue later and I'll advise in other stories when it is ready for posting. But don't look for it any time soon. There are quite a stories ahead of it waiting for posting. But the same relationship was there when the two got together in Diamond.

The answer to the question of clearing Sirius' name at the end of this story is, of course, in this chapter. Enjoy.

No, dear, nothing does stand up to Sirius Black.

By the way, thankyouthankyouthankyou......and Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year.

RioRaptor: Heartless? Really? Oh, dear. I didn't mean him to sound that way at all. If anything, he was sort of amused by the whole scene.

Anyway, sorry. Don't hate Albus.

Wolf Of Solitude: Awwww, one of P.A.R.'s favorites!

I'm pleased you like this chapter and, along with all the others, liked the scene with Sirius ranting to an empty office. I really wondered how that would come off to my readers. There was the potential there for the scene to be misunderstood. But it seemed to have worked out all right.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

VMR: Thank you.

Dark Pata: Thank you. I appreciate the review.

Silver Fox: Darn it, people!!! *P.A.R. reaches into her wallet AGAIN!* All right, how much to keep quiet about that?

Actually, I think I can explain this one!

O.K., Severus likely got the job right out of school. Face it, folks, he was good at what he was good at. Now, perhaps as like one last prank, Sirius and the rest set up this trap to go off some time in the future or that it would go off if Snape did something imparticular. All Dumbledore would have had to have done was imply that Snape did something to finally set it off and Snape would have gone along with it.

Or we can all just ride with the idea Fudge is an idiot and will believe anything you tell him that doesn't compromise his view of things. *Audience applauds and nods.* *P.A.R. snaps her wallet shut.* HA!

The ministry likely does know where Harry is (The Shrieking Shack), and with who (Remus Lupin). Someone else might question this, but then again, Fudge.....(see review.).

As for the Diamond review, well, Analisa only said she was a Deatheater in Family Life, she never said she was a particularly 'good' one.

Kiara O. Lawrence: Oh good. P.A.R. isn't getting senial.

It doesn't bother me, dear. Just a little confusing is all. If you check the bio page, I'm OLD-er. Easily confused, you see.

Thank you also for the review on Diamond.

I look forward to the Family Life reviews. As of 12262001 I have as many reviews as chapters. Yah!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

ACK: So pleased you enjoyed the story thus far.

You're glad there's still author(esses) like me on Fanfiction.net? Where did the rest of us go?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The Unicorn Whisperer: Glad you liked Diamond. Did you finish you're shopping on time? Christmas eve, huh? At that point, I usually just give money.

Merry Christmas, Whisp! Happy New Year!

Juliana Black: No. Really. Did you think it was cute?

Just kidding. And thank you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Black Sparkles: Thank you. I'm always happy to have a new reviewer. Gives me something to read for a change.

Reviews are as of 12262001.

As always, if I missed anyone, I apologize and will try to get you next time. But answering on three separate stories can get a little confusing.

To all, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

On with the story.

Chapter Twelve: What's In A Name

For the next several days Harry was ordered to stay in bed by Madam Pomfrey. To his absolute delight he was told by Professor Dumbledore that he was to be allowed to stay out the rest of the summer in the Shrieking Shack with Sirius and Remes and would not have to return to the Dursley's that summer.

Harry didn't even bother to think about what next summer would bring. All he was concerned about was that for the next month he was being allowed to live with his godfather in the complete protection of the Hogwarts school grounds. The two of them couldn't be any safer. So for at least one month he got what he had pleaded so hard for.

Lupin had taken over Harry's medical care from Madam Pomfrey, and Harry soon found himself missing the school nurse. Lupin was a task master when it came to Madam Pomfrey's instructions, and he followed them to the letter.

Just when Harry had begun to think he was going to have to spend the whole month in bed, Lupin finally gave in and allowed him to take short walks about the room...under close supervision. But several days later, when Lupin had gone into Hogsmeade for supplies, Harry had felt it was time to venture downstairs.

The trip from the bed to the bottom of the stairs took the better part of five minutes. Most of the time being spent navigating the stairs as he held tightly onto the banner rail and took them one at a time. But finally he reached the bottom. Sitting on the bottom step of the main entrance of the house, he smiled to himself at his accomplishment, and after a short rest, set off on his next objective. Finding his godfather.

The first task seemed as nothing compared to the second. Although the little house wasn't very large, to Harry it might as well have been a mansion. He found himself stopping several times as he became light-headed and the room would begin to spin, lowering himself into a chair or down onto a sofa.

All in all, it took him a good half hour to locate Sirius, who was sitting in a back room that Harry presumed was set up as some sort of study. Sirius sat behind a large desk with his back to Harry, leaned over with his forehead resting in the palm of his hand. Harry slowly made his way into the room, being as silent as he could. Halfway there he notice that Sirius was leaned over a piece of paper laying on the top of the desk. Whatever the paper was, Harry reasoned it had to be something fairly important as that Sirius, who usually put Moody to shame in the category of 'constant vigilance', didn't seem to notice his presence until he was standing next to him. Sirius nearly leapt out of the chair as Harry placed his hand on Sirius' shoulder, more for stability than letting his godfather know he was there.

Sirius quickly recomposed himself as he turned with a broad smile to his godson. He quickly noted how unstable Harry seemed on his feet and wrapped an arm about his waist.

"What are you doing up?" He asked, kissing Harry's forehead. "Shouldn't you still be in bed?"

Harry shook his head very slightly, since doing so made the room start to spin again. "Professor Lupin said I could get up and walk around a bit."

"I'm sure Remes had 'around your room' more in mind than a tour of the house. I doubt he'll be very happy about this little venture."

Harry leaned against Sirius and closed his eyes. He had to admit that the excursion had exhausted him.

Sirus laughed softly as he felt Harry shift his body weight against him.

"Tired?"

Harry mumbled something.

Sirius laughed again and lifted his godson into his lap, wrapping him in his arms.

"I think it would be best if we put you back to bed."

Harry leaned against Sirius' shoulder and shook his head, cuddling up against his godfather. From a life of near total emotional isolation, Harry simply craved affection. A need he found more than filled by Sirius, who simply lavished it upon him in a manner that would give the most doting parent a run for their money.

Harry settled into his new-found comfort, prepared to go back to sleep where he was. Something he knew all too well Sirius wouldn't raise a word of protest to.

"Can I asked you something, Sirius?" Harry said after a minute as a thought that had been nagging at him suddenly came back to the forefront of his memory, nearly lost in his exhaustion.

Sirius was busily trying to smooth down a bit of Harry's hair in the back. "What's that?" He asked half-interested as the unruly patch of hair sprung back up.

"What did my dad mean when he said he knew what you were up to?"

Sirius suddenly forgot the patch of hair. "Oh." He said quietly. "That."

"What did he mean?"

"It was nothing really, Harry. I wouldn't worry about it."

"Dad said it was important." Harry replied, shaking off his exhaustion as he turned to Sirius. "And he was real insistent I tell you. So it must have been."

Sirius sighed quietly as he played absently with the paper on the desk before him.

"Do you know what he meant?" Harry asked.

Sirius paused, then nodded. To Harry's surprise, despite his solemn expression, his godfather smiled slightly. "Yes, I know what he meant, Harry. He was helping me...or trying to help me with a decision I've been struggling with for several months."

"What decision?"

Sirius moved the paper over so that Harry could see it.

Harry reached out and pulled it closer, reading the text of the page. It made a vague sort of sense to him at first. He knew it was a legal paper, since half the words he didn't understand and the other half looked like they were misspelled. But he stopped scanning the paper when he got to the middle of the page. There, across the center of the page in bold type was his name...with a small amendment added to it.

"Harry James Potter Black." Harry read, tracing his finger across the name. A wild sense of excitement rushed through him that completely pushed aside his earlier exhaustion.

Harry turned quickly to his godfather with a smile that was growing ever larger. "Black?" He asked.

Sirius read the excitement in his godson's eyes.

"It's not an adoption, Harry." Sirius stated. "As much as I would want that, we both know that isn't possible right now."

Harry's smile faded as he turned back to the paper. "Then what is it?" He asked, his expression now one of puzzlement.

"It's a petition, Harry." Sirius explained. "One for a name change. It's an idea I've been thinking about for a while. And Dumbledore made a few suggestions to add to it. It's not much, I know. But it will afford you some sort of protection. That of my family name. Right now, I am your legal guardian. If I were a free man, you'd be living with me. But, things aren't always fair, and as they are, you'll have to go back to the Dursley's next summer."

Harry's face fell. They were sending him back to Privet Drive? Back to Uncle Vernon? Back to the man who had beaten him?

"It's not as bad as it seems, Harry." Sirius put in, reading his godson's expression. "Let me finish. If this petition is accepted and signed by the judge, from now on you'll be recognized as part of the 'Black' family. Not the 'Dursley's'. And if you need somewhere to go to get away from the Dursley's and I can't be there, or should something ever happen to me, the courts, both muggle and wizard, will recognize my brother, Orion, as having legal right to your custody after me and before those muggle relatives of yours. This way, if things ever get...out of hand again, and if I can't be there, Orion would then have the legal right to take you away from the Dursley's. And Orion might not be the best thing that could happen to you, but he'd be a blessed sight better than those muggles any day. At least he'll raise you a proper wizard."

Harry sat in Sirius' lap in mute silence, staring at the paper.

"Of course, it would be up to you." Sirius added quickly when Harry didn't respond with great enthusiasm to the idea now that it was explained to him.

Harry continued to stare at the paper. "This means," he said slowly, "that I would be a part of your family."

"In a way, Harry." Sirius replied. "It's a way for you to tell the courts your preference if, as I said, something happened to me or if, heaven forbid, anything ever happens to you again."

Harry turned quickly to Sirius as a thought came to him. "But nothing is going to happen to you, is it?" He asked suddenly. "I mean, there isn't something you're not telling me?"

Sirius paused, then laughed slightly as he understood what Harry was asking. "No, Harry. Nothings wrong...now. For now, you'll stay here, with Remes and I to take care of you. But the ministry is still looking for me. What if I was caught and taken back to Azkaban? You'd have no one but you mother's family to go to. And you'd be much better off with Orion."

Harry leaned back against Sirius' shoulder again. "What's he like?"

"Orion?" Sirius thought for a moment. "I suppose he's a slightly less tense version of Snape."

"Snape?" Harry asked with a touch of alarm.

"Less tense, Harry. He's not quite that bad. But Orion is very...well ordered, I guess. But I know he'd take very good care of you. I've owled him about it, and he said he'd be 'very pleased to see to your care'."

"Sounds sort of stuffy." Harry frowned.

"Well, he's never exactly been the life of a party, if that's what you mean. But he'd die making sure you were brought up a wizard, Harry."

"And this is what my dad was saying he knew about?"

"That's my guess. I've only asked him about it a couple of hundred times. About changing your name. Adding mine to it. If he approved. If it was all right with him. I was afraid James...your father, would see it as my trying to...obscure his family name. Put an end to the 'Potter' family line. I mean, you're it for the wizarding side of your family, Harry. The Potter line ends with you. To my knowledge, James had no siblings. Of course, my part of this was simply the name change. To give your custody over to Orion was Dumbledore's idea."

"Why did Professor Dumbledore take such an interest in this?"

Sirius laughed softly. "Because he didn't want me turning them into air-sick bags, I suppose."

Harry gave a tired smile. "I like that idea better."

Sirius shook his head. "That's because you're not seeing the big picture here, Harry."

"Big picture?"

"Think about it. Oh, I could have turned them into something really nasty. Would have enjoyed it to. But the ministry would have just turned them back and nothing was really solved. But this...," Sirius held up the document, "...this does so much more. Once it's done, your uncle can't fight it, or stop it, or change it in any way. And he'll know from now on you have someone just waiting in the wings to take you away from him if he ever abuses you like that again. Your uncle may be afraid of me, Harry, but he knows I have my limits with half the country looking for me. But my brother has no limitations set on him."

"Sirius, Uncle Vernon would jump at the chance to get rid of me. If he thought there was someone else out there willing to take me, he'd probably drive me to their front door."

"I don't think so, Harry. What did your uncle always hold over you? Always tell you about why you should be so grateful to them and do all the things they made you do? Because they were your only relatives. That you had no where else to go. No one who would take you in. Well, now you do. And trust me, your Uncle Vernon doesn't want to lose you as much as you may think. You're too valuable to him."

Harry gave a slight snort of laughter. "Valuable?"

"Who else does all the work around there?" Sirius answered quite solemnly. He knew all too well how Harry was treated by the Dursley's, and he didn't like it one bit.

"That's true."

"But if he ever takes advantage of you again, tries working you the way he used to, or so much as ever lays a hand on you, all you have to do is tell him you're calling your Uncle Orion. Now, Vernon Dursley may have been, as I said, afraid of the possibility that you would call me in such a situation. But trust me, he'll be absolutely terrified of the possibility that you would call Orion. Because as fast as Orion could apparate to Privet Drive, he'll take you out of that house. And Vernon Dursley won't be able to do one thing to stop him, and he'd know it. Which, with you gone, would force Vernon Dursley to put that great whale of a son of his to work. Or do it himself. Or worse, actually have to pay someone else. Can't think of a better punishment myself."

"Why do I have to stay there at all, Sirius? Why can't I stay with Orion if he's so willing to take me? Or stay at the castle? Or with Professor Lupin?"

"Because as odd as it seems to say, Harry, your safest with your relatives. Even safer than you'd be at Hogwarts, probably. I'm just trying to make it just a little safer for you, that's all."

Harry smiled slightly. "Uncle Vernon's going to know about this?"

"He'll get the court papers. Or more to the point, you will. And I can't imagine he won't read them himself." Sirius laughed softly again. "Wish I could be there to see it. But I think you'll see a change for the better next summer."

Harry looked over the paper again. "What else needs to be done?" He asked.

"Actually," Sirius said soberly, "the last thing needed is your signature. Then Remus will take it back to the courts for me and the judge signs it."

Harry kept staring at the paper.

"That is," Sirius added tentatively, "if you want to. You don't have to, Harry."

Harry ran his finger across the name again. Something about the name just seemed more right to him than anything else in the world. Harry looked down the page and saw a line at the bottom with his legal name typed underneath it. Reaching over the desk, Harry grabbed the quill that was laying there and quickly wrote his name across the top of the line. 'Harry James Potter' he wrote out, then quickly added the name 'Black' at the end.

He picked the paper up and handed it to Sirius. "That should tell them how I feel." He said with a tired, but pleased smile.

Sirius smiled back at his godson as he took the paper from Harry, hugging him tightly.

"Welcome to the family."