-- Chapter 2: A New Father, Again --

Monday November 2nd, 1981

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore walked the halls of the former headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix carrying a blonde bundle of joy, which was cooing contentedly at the old man's long white beard.

The potion's master of Hogwarts walked sulkily behind the learned wizard. Severus Snape searched for the words to show the severity of the events about to take place. "Headmaster, please reconsider, there must be some other person to take Draco in. Anyone would be better then….him. You know how we feel about each other, and Draco is my godson, damn it. I don't want my godson left in his care. And as the childs godfather, that's final. Find someone else."

Professor Dumbledore stopped for a moment and turned around. He looked Severus straight in the eye, and responded, "Very well, Severus, but as you know, you are not an option, or trustworthy in the eyes of the ministry, for that matter, so you will not have custody. And if not him, then it would be one of Narcissa's sisters, Andromeda Tonks or Bellatrix Lestrange. And since the Lestranges have never been proven to be in servants of Voldemort, and they are both purebloods, the ministry would appoint custody to them. Now if he asks for guardianship, he will get it. For one, he is the head of a noble house and he was also a firm supporter of the light. And he will be a good father figure for young Draco. Also, Draco will have a child his own age to bond with. All in all I think it is a good decision not only for Draco, but for you as well, because he will allow you to be a large part of young Draco's life, I will see to it. This is the best option, and thus you can try to make amends with him, and be part of Draco's life regardless of who raises him, or you can meet Draco when he reaches Hogwarts. The choice is yours."

"Very well, but you will make sure that he lets me see Draco? And if he isn't being treated well, you will get him out of there?"

"Of course, I would never leave a child in an environment where he isn't loved, and well cared for. If the need arises, which I'm sure it won't, I will see that Draco is put in someone else's care. Now if that is all, the Order is waiting for us."

With that the Headmaster strode toward the meeting room. The Order of the Phoenix was assembled, and Snape saw Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge, Mundungus Fletcher, Rubeus Hagrid, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Minerva McGonagall, Mad-Eye Moody, Sturgis Podmore, Frank and Alice Longbottom, and about a dozen others. All of them were cooing over a bundle of blankets in Black's arms. 'It must be the Potter baby,' Snape thought. Needless to say the cooing suddenly became much more repulsive to Severus. The assembled mass all looked to Dumbledore as he entered, and then most began to stare at the bundle in his hands.

"Who's that Albus?" Dedalus Diggle asked gently, as baby Draco started to scream.

"Sounds like a problem child, eh Albus?" Snape scoffed, Sirius ignored it and smirked. "So, who's the runt?" Severus was beginning to get angry. He calmed himself, and prepared to be even angrier, once the fireworks began.

"Ah, I am ever so glad you asked Sirius, for you see, he is your second cousin, the son of Narcissa Malfoy. As I am sure you are all aware, both Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were killed yesterday, when they refused to be taken to the Ministry for questioning. Now the custody of young Draco has been disputed, and despite my protests that Severus was not a Death Eater, and that he was a firm supporter of the light, the ministry has stated in no uncertain terms that he will never have custody of the child. Since the godfather is eliminated from list of possible guardians, that leaves family. Now Bellatrix and Rodulphus Lestrange have filed a plea for custody, and this will not be stopped by the ministry, because they have no proof that the Lestrange's are anything other then law abiding purebloods, only rumors." Several people around the room scoffed or rolled their eyes, and then Dumbledore continued. "While we know they are Death Eaters, this will not help us. So we need someone to file for custody of him, someone who has never wavered from the light, and is also pureblooded and wealthy. Also it would be preferable if the person was in this room. I believe that that someone should be Sirius Black." Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling like the sun.

The room was engulfed in silence. Sirius blinked several dozen times before even thinking of a way out of it.

Next up is Reactions, and decisions.

New and Noteworthy: Betaing was done by Thomas-Michael just for you!

1/20/05