From last time: "We need someone to file for custody of Draco, 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. Weighing all of the options, I have come to 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.

Chapter 3: Agreeing to Disagree

Monday November 2nd, 1981, continued

The silence was broken by Harry beginning to wail, which of course led Draco to do the same. These events seemed to break Sirius out of his stupor, and he picked up Harry out of a very large basket and began to quiet him. At the same time, Albus Dumbledore was attempting to do the same with Draco.

Sirius was having success, as Harry was not crying any longer. Instead the raven-haired baby was staring at Sirius. Suddenly, he screamed "pah foo!" causing Remus to laugh. It may have been this or the fact that Harry had stopped crying, that made Draco stop crying as well.

"You see Sirius, you'll make a wonderful father, and the boys seem to get along ever so well." Dumbledore said, looking around for support.

"But…"

Sirius was about to argue when McGonagall caught the look in Dumbledore's eye and chimed in. "Can you imagine your cousin, that vile woman, to raise any child? Could you really condemn that precious little boy to the care of a mad woman? Imagine when he gets to Hogwarts, he'll be a terror, and in your godson's year. Do you really want to basically guarantee your godson yet another enemy?" As she was saying this she had gotten up and taken Draco from Dumbledore. Then she went to where Sirius was sitting and put him in Harry's basket. "Can you really condemn anyone to a life of hate and slavery to a madman?" She was now talking in her "teacher voice" which caused even adults to squirm in their seats under the scrutiny of her glare.

"I think your exaggera…" Sirius tried again to voice his dissent.

Remus exclaimed, looking at the boys fondly, "You can raise an army of Neo-Marauder's to terrorize Hogwarts in a few years!" This caused Minerva to turn her glare to Remus, who grinned sheepishly back at the Transfiguration professor.

The latter idea seemed to cause a bit of a mischievous glint to appear in Sirius's eyes, so Dumbledore took the opportunity to say, "So it's settled, sign here, and it will be finalized." In Dumbledore's hand appeared a piece of parchment, which had a large X with a line at the bottom. Sirius sighed, looked at the two boys who had fallen asleep next to each other, both looking very calm.

"Alright, I'll do it, but no telling me how you all think I should raise them. I'll do this my way, and I don't want to hear one word about how they'll put Peeves right out of the pranking business when they get to Hogwarts." He looked to McGonagall with a slight smirk, almost hoping that she would change her mind, and not have him take the boy. "Also I intend to train them both up, as soon as they can hold a wand, because I believe that most of you know what Harry will have to do one day. And since I'll be raising them as brothers, I'll be training them both. I take it no one has any problems?" He looked around the room, making eye contact with each order member present (excluding Snape), and none voiced concern, so he said, "Ok I'll do it, does anyone have a quill? I think there are some papers for me to sign."

Sirius signed the papers, and sighed, "How the bloody hell am I going to raise two one year olds?" he asked.

"Uh, very carefully?" Remus piped in with a grin, barely holding in fits of laughter.

"I'm serious Remus."

Remus feeling particularly flippant, responded, "We all know you're Sirius!" This time he laughed out loud.

"Ha, ha, Very funny Wolfie, I haven't heard that one before," Sirius said dryly. "Serio…really though, I live in a one bedroom flat, I don't have the income, shit I should have thought of that before I signed the bloody parchment!"

Dumbledore smiled and said, "I really feel that you needn't worry about earthly possessions any longer Sirius." At Sirius' blank expression he continued, "Alas, it is my sad duty to inform you that your mother was found dead earlier today, right on top of yesterday's newspaper, it seems that it was heart failure, she couldn't believe that Voldemort had fallen, and that he was killed by a mere child. She was found when she missed her weekly meeting of her brewing circle yesterday, leading to an investigation by her friends. Now you may not be aware, but you are the heir to the Black fortune, regardless of your past actions, and how your mother viewed you. With the death of Regulus, your parents did not want their money going to anyone other then a Black. And even if that were not the case you would have full access to Harry's and Draco's vaults until they are of age. I would suggest that for the time being you move to one of the Black's London properties, perhaps #12 Grimmauld Place? It is one of the most secure properties that you own."

"I never though that I would set foot in that place again, but it has enough rooms and facilities, so it will do. You're all welcome of course, as long as you promise to change some diapers." He again looked at everyone, except Snape.

"And remember, everyone in this room will help you with whatever you need. I believe that Severus is quite anxious to help with young Draco." Sirius looked like a deer in the headlights. He looked as if he was about to tell Dumbledore that there was no way in hell, but he was stopped by a look on the old man's face. Dumbledore then continued sternly, "Severus is Draco's godfather, he will see the boy whenever he requests. This petty schoolboy rivalry must stop. You both act disgraceful around each other, and it stops now." Dumbledore's voice left no room for argument; nonetheless both men came close to pouting.

"I will tolerate him as long as he shows me the same courtesy," Snape said snippily.

After a long moment, "Ditto" was all Sirius had to say by way of reply.

"Good, it's settled then. I have business to attend to. Come, Minerva, we must talk of Hogwarts' reopening." Dumbledore said as he strode from the room. Minerva followed, and both boys began to wail.

Minerva turned around and smiled mischievously at Sirius and said, "Some days I am glad I deal only with adolescents."

Next, Severus and Sirius have a heart to heart….or some thing similar, and perhaps going to Grimmauld.

New Note:Thomas-Michael had the honor of being my beta for this chapter. Thank You.

1/20/05