Chapter Thirteen
Sirius looked around the Wizengamot chamber, it was almost as full as when he'd had his trial. Reporters and photographers swarmed the public gallery. He sighed internally, Remus did warn me, he thought, I was hoping he was wrong. Wish he could be here. They had decided to have one of them with Harry at all times, to prevent the Dursleys (especially Vernon) from trying anything.
"Hello, Lord Black," Sirius whirled around to see Amelia Bones standing there, "sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
Sirius smiled, "no problem, Madam Bones. Just caught up in memories is all."
"I see," she said, "and how are you doing?"
"Very well, actually," Sirius said with a smile, "I think they're about to start."
"Then we should take our places," she said.
"Of coarse," Sirius replied as he moved toward the Black seat.
"Come to order," said the Chief Scribe, "let the Wizengamot meeting for the month of August 1985 begin. Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore presiding."
"Thank you, Chief Scribe," said Albus, "before we begin, is there any new business?" he asked, eyes twinkling in Sirius' direction as he rose.
"I would like to announce that I am officially taking the Black seat, as well as the Potter Regency, as laid out in the will of the late Lord James Charlus Potter."
"So noted," said Albus as he watched the Potter crest disappear from his robes and appear on Sirius', "do you have any other business, Lord Black?"
"Not at this time," said Sirius as he retook his seat.
"Very well, now let us discuss the proposal made by Madam Umbridge at the last meeting."
Madam Umbridge rose, "hem hem. Thank you, Chief Warlock,"
Oh boy, thought Sirius as he settled in to listen, this is going to be so BORING.
….
Remus was helping Harry in the garden. The first crops had been harvested and now, with Remus' help, Harry wanted to try growing some harmless magical plants. He'd wanted to try a simple potion, but Remus had asked him to wait for Sirius, as he couldn't get near a cauldron without it blowing up or melting.
"Look, Uncle Moony!" said Harry excitedly, "here's another magic plant!"
"OK cub," said Remus, walking over, "let's see what it is."
Harry held up the small pot with a note card stuck to it. Remus took it and read the name, "I think we should wait for this one. We didn't start studying these until fourth year."
"OK," said Harry, taking the pot and putting it back, "I think that's all for the magic ones."
"That's OK cub," said Remus as he ruffled Harry's already messy hair, "we can always get a few in Diagon Alley."
Harry's face brightened, "neat! Can I go with you guys this time?"
Remus smiled, "maybe. But we have to wait for Sirius, and you'll probably need a disguise."
Harry bounced happily, "OK!"
Remus chuckled, "OK cub, let's go get cleaned up. Then maybe you can show me how to play that video game you copied 'til Padfoot comes home."
"OK," said Harry as he grabbed Remus' hand and all but dragged him toward the flat compartment.
Remus only smiled.
….
"...And this meeting of the Wizengamot is now adjourned." said Albus, as he banged the gavel, "the next meeting will be held on the 21st of September."
Oh thank Merlin! thought Sirius, I thought it would never end! Just as he made his way toward the exit, he saw Dumbledore approaching. Here we go….
Albus twinkled his eyes, "Sirius my boy, shall we head to my office for our meeting?"
"All right," said Sirius, making sure to keep his eyes lowered and his Occlumency shields raised.
Albus only smiled as they headed for the floo.
When they arrived, Albus sat behind his desk, and Sirius sat in front, "what did you want to see me about, Albus?" he asked, though he knew full well what Dumbledore wanted. He and Remus had talked about this, and thought that it was better to play dumb at first.
Albus smiled and steepled his fingers, "as I said in my letter, I wanted to talk to you about Harry."
Sirius leaned back and crossed his legs, "oh? What about him?"
"Well, my boy, I think it would be best for Harry to remain with his relatives," said Albus, "the blood wards protect him, and as long as he calls home the place his mother's blood dwells, her protection, as well as the blood wards, will keep him safe."
"Does he call it home?" asked Sirius, wondering how far he could push it before the old man figured something out, and how much Dumbledore would push him before he lost his temper.
"Of coarse," said Albus, "they are family."
"That doesn't mean much," said Sirius, thinking of his own miserable home life, "from all Lily told us, her sister hated magic."
"Don't worry, my boy. Harry is being treated very well."
Sirius leaned forward, "how do you know? Do you check on him regularly?"
"I'm afraid not, my boy," said Albus, "as a condition of caring for Harry, Petunia asked that there be no contact from anyone in the magical world. She said that she would inform him when he is old enough."
Sirius' face started to redden in anger at this, "but that's not right!" he exclaimed, "Our whole world knows his name! Petunia will probably wait til the last minute! And what about his status? He's heir to at least Potter and Black. Shouldn't he be taught something about it?"
Albus leaned back and reached for a lemon drop, "now Sirius, I think it would be best to wait for all that. Let him have a childhood. There will be plenty of time for him to learn what he needs."
Sirius' temper was beginning to fray at the audacity of the old man, "wait a minute, Albus! I'm all for letting Harry have a childhood, but you very well know that most pureblood families start the training at his age, or even earlier!"
"Calm down dear boy. Would you like a lemon drop?"
Sirius forced himself to be calm, "no. But you never answered my questions, Albus. How do you know that Harry is all right?"
Albus sighed, "I have someone in the neighborhood. Arabella Figg lives nearby. She watches out for Harry and reports to me regularly."
Sirius sighed and inwardly winced, glad that Remus had suggested that they not be seen on Privet Drive.
Albus smiled, thinking that he'd won. For now, at least. He swallowed the last of his lemon drop and reached for another.
"I want to see him," said Sirius, "I want to make sure he's all right for myself. Remus, too. You should never have kept him away. He's as much Harry's family as I am."
Albus almost choked on his lemon drop. So he had been with Remus, and to make things worse, the wolf had told him about Albus keeping him from Harry. He'd suspected it, but Sirius' request could really put a damper on his plans. He needed to think of something quickly.
"Well?" asked Sirius impatiently,
Albus sighed, "very well my boy. I will contact Petunia and set up a meeting. Perhaps in a week or so."
"All right," said Sirius snarkily, "thank you for letting me meet the godson I should have been raising." He then got up and headed for the floo, "I'll tell Remus. We hope to get your letter soon."
Albus sighed as Sirius flooed out. He needed to think, but Black would be hounding him until he got to meet Harry. He reached for quill and parchment, he needed to write to the Dursleys. If Harry told them how he was treated, it would be all over. He needed time to think. What could he write to make the Dursleys do what he wanted.
….
The next few days saw the little family bonding, mostly playing games but with some stories mixed in. Less than a week before school would start, Harry grew excited. He loved to learn, and was excited to be meeting some other kids.
"You know," said Remus, after Harry had gone to work in his garden, "maybe we should introduce him to some magical kids. Let him make some friends before Hogwarts."
"It's possible,"said Sirius, "and I'd love too, but who do we know that won't tell Dumbledore?"
Remus sighed, "no one I can think of."
Sirius made a face, "I can't think of anyone, either. No one good, anyway."
"That reminds me, we really should take Harry shopping for some things."
"I know," said Sirius, "but we need to wait for Dumbledore's letter. He hasn't even contacted the Dursleys yet."
"We can't wait too long, he starts school soon."
"I know. But we can't be seen with him, and I don't think Petunia would take him, even if we paid…." Sirius got a wide grin on his face, "unless…."
Remus grinned, "I know that look. What are you thinking, Padfoot?"
"Well it's like this….."
Remus grinned as Sirius outlined his plan.
