Synopsis – Harry has been adopted by Sirius Black; who is still an Azkaban Escapee. Remus Lupin is temporary guardian of Harry because the adoption papers named him as 'Uncle'. Wormtail escaped from Hogwarts and is now on the run from Sirius Black; no one but maybe Lupin and Harry figure that Wormtail is 'Scabbers'.
A/N – For anyone who hasn't read 'The Cold Room' you should go read it because TCR is the prequel to this fic. TCR is also an AU of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Most of my Reviewers have read it and have told me that it is a good story. So, it you HAVENT read it, go do so now, because you won't get this otherwise!
NOTES – Adoption is a very special subject to me. That is why TCR is my most favorite written fic to date. Adoption is also something that lasts for life! It cannot be void by ANYONE!
However, in the wizarding world – this is sort of different. Children who are adopted by muggle means will always carry the family name – those adoption papers cannot be void at all.
Children adopted in the wizarding world can only be adopted if the Guardian is A) dead or B) abusive; the adoption can be void if one of the adoptees says a long complicated incantation. That would automatically have the child's name reverted to their original name. In this case, Harry James Potter-Black would go back to the original Harry James Potter (Which will NOT happen in this fic!).
Can I Call You Dad?
Chapter 2
Wormtail didn't know how long he had been gone; he desperately wished he had stayed with the Weasley child, maybe if he hadn't disappeared, Black wouldn't be on his tail now! Black was smart, but sometimes he wasn't smart enough. He had only figured out who was the spy by observing the people who were at Godric's Hollow after the Potter's death.
He hadn't been there himself; after his Master had effectively been defeated by the one year old baby; he had had run. They would figure out who was the real spy! It was him! Peter Pettigrew, the one time Marauder and best friend of Remus, James and Sirius. He was the man who had signed the Potter's death certificate. He also had to silently listen to James yelling to Lily to get Harry to safety; and Lily pleading for her son's life!
It was sad – he hadn't done anything to stop it though his heart had told him to do so. But he couldn't, he was too afraid of the Dark Lord's retribution if he had done anything besides follow order's. Which he had done, and for which he regretted the most.
As he scampered through the underbrush of the dark forest – he could almost hear the pattering of a hound behind him. He knew it was his imagination though; he was far ahead of Padfoot and soon would be rid of the mutt all together.
Lucius Malfoy sneered at Minister Fudge and his aid Dolores Umbridge; they were freaking out over the apparent adopt of one Harry Potter, who had now added on 'Black' to his name. Lucius did not see this a problem; but more like a card that he could use in his master plan of getting Lord Voldemort his body back.
"Will you stop! This is not a problem," he said.
"Not a problem? Did you know that a…" Dolores trailed off, she looked at her clipboard then back to Lucius; "A Remus John Lupin is his UNCLE by adoption?" she asked.
"Really? Good for him," Lucius obviously sneered at that idea. Lupin was good at Defense, always had been, but he was also a Werewolf. Why no one had bothered to point that out once the man had gotten a place at Hogwarts – well, Lucius didn't even want to know!
"He's the only one who can void the adoption contract," Fudge stated. Lucius took the papers, he smirked when he saw them. The loophole was brilliant!
"Actually, Black is the only one who can, Lupin has no say in the execution of the papers. He can only be temporary guardian for the boy," Lucius pointed out.
Fudge was red around the collar as he took back the papers; "How did they come up with that?"
"Black and Lupin are troublemakers; even during Hogwarts, I didn't put that past them, in fact, I expected it; so, there is nothing you can do," Lucius stood from the leather backed chair he had taken during the emergency meeting.
He left Umbridge and Fudge in a tizzy; he was glad of it too. Mumbling Ministry fools didn't know what was good for them! If they had, they would have eradicated Dumbledore and his foolish army the first chance they had gotten!
Padfoot had once again lost the trail; Brilliant! Just brilliant! Sirius Black complained to himself. He longed for those times back at Moony's cottage where he and Harry had taken turns on the new broom! Harry decided to donate his Nimbus 2000 to the school; and in a letter that Harry had written to him, had stated that "Madam Hooch begged me to autograph it! I did it only to make her stop bugging me..."
Sirius was very proud of Harry and had said so in the return letter; however, he wished that it wasn't taking him so long to find Wormtail, the traitor had a huge head start; but Sirius could only blame himself, he had wanted to spend Christmas with Harry and get the adoption paper's filled out. He was glad that Harry had agreed to it as well. Sirius had always wanted a son.
He once again picked up the trail left by the rat; he howled long and hard before taking off through the forest.
"Cornelius, there is nothing I can do," Albus wanted to sigh, but he didn't.
"There has to be something!" Fudge ranted.
"Even if there was a way to get what we both want; it wouldn't work, Sirius Black is the only person who can null the papers, and he won't do it. He is very loyal; he wouldn't even think about it," Albus said. Fudge sputtered angrily at the realization that there was nothing he could do.
"Albus! What the hell are you doing?" Minerva McGonagall stomped into the room.
"Minerva…"
"Don't you dare 'Minerva' me! I just got a letter from Lupin and Potter-Black! I cannot believe you asked Remus to void the adoption papers! That has been the best thing that has happened to Harry since he was BORN! I told you it was wrong to leave him with those MUGGLES! If you even try to talk Sirius Black into voiding those papers I will resign!" she yelled before stomping right back out of the office.
Albus sighed; there was no way he could find another Transfiguration teacher as good as Minerva; she was the best! He looked at Fudge, who shrugged and disappeared through the floo network once again. Albus Dumbledore might not be able to do anything, Fudge had decided, but he had to try!
"Home sweet home," Remus muttered as he and Harry walked through the front door of his small cottage. It was exactly the way Harry remembered it, sans the Christmas decorations that is. Harry smiled; "It feels good to be here,"
"Indeed it does, now, why don't you go settled in and I'll send off a note to Sirius," Remus suggested.
"Can you help me redecorate my room later?" Harry asked.
"Of course, we also need to go shopping for you, but that can wait a couple of days," Remus said.
"It can wait till after the full moon, you look sick," Harry said in a Sirius-like manner.
"I'll be fine, I've been dealing with it for twice as long as you have been alive," Remus said.
"Whatever you say Uncle Moony!" Harry said before taking his trunk up the stairs and to his room. While Harry was upstairs, Remus took out the enchanted parchment.
Padfoot? Are you there? – Moony
Read you loud and clear – I've been taking a rest before following the trail some more – Padfoot
Pronglet and I have arrived home; everything is in one piece – Moony
Good, has Dumbledore said anything to you? – Padfoot
Not yet; there isn't anything he can do; the only person who can terminate the papers is you and I know you won't do that – Moony
Hell no! I'd be crazy to do that! – Padfoot
I know, I'll let you get you're rest, come and visit us soon – Moony
Will do! – Padfoot
"Moony? Is everything all right?" Harry asked. Remus turned from the coffee table where he had settled down in order to write out his note. He stood and made his way through the living room and too the entry way. Harry stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"So, what did you want to do to you're room, Pronglet?" Remus asked. Harry smiled and dragged Remus up stairs.
"Can we make the bed a huge four poster? Like the ones at Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Remus smiled.
Remus and Harry had fun coming up with redecorating ideas. By the end; Harry had a huge four poster Hogwarts-like bed. A large gold, red and silver rug on the floor. Shelves for all of his books, and a huge wardrobe! There was a chair railing made of cherry wood, that separated the gold from the red.
There were glowing orbs at the four corners of the ceiling that would go on and off according to the amount of claps one did. And on the bedside tables were the same sort of orbs that you touched in order for them to glow. All in all, it was a very nice and cozy bedroom.
"This is so cool! Thanks Uncle Moony!" Harry said hugging the Werewolf close.
"Not a problem, it is you're room after all," Remus replied.
"I can't wait for Sirius to see it! Is he going to come home any time soon?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure," Remus sighed.
"It's all right; I'll owl him soon," Harry muttered.
"Why don't we go get some lunch?" Remus asked; he then dragged Harry away from his room and down stairs to eat. Harry was WAY to thin for Remus' tastes.
A/N – I felt as if it took me forever to get a five paged chapter! I went into description on the decorating scene because I was trying to get more content. So I am sorry if it was boring. I hope you don't mind.
Please review!
Ta,
Poppy
