Chapter Twenty-Six
A/N: This is a time skip. Warnings for slash and possible mentions of child abuse.
On the last day of school, Harry once again woke Sirius at an obscene (to him) hour. Remus was, as always, ready with coffee. Harry was excited because his class was going to have a party. He and Remus had spent last night baking cookies and cupcakes to share. He had wanted to bring some of his magical sweets, but Sirius and Remus told him more about the laws that said he couldn't.
Harry was of course disappointed that he couldn't share his favorite treats with his school friends, but he understood. As a compromise, both Remus and Sirius helped him bake several new snacks to share. Included were 'Rice Crispy Squares' from an American recipe book Remus had found at a thrift shop.
Once Harry and his giant box of snacks was packed off to school, Sirius sat tiredly at the table, but for once was not heading back to bed.
"What's up, Padfoot?" Remus asked.
"I really want to help Harry find some magical friends," he said.
"I know," said Remus, sitting across from him with a cup of tea, "but who do we know that won't tell Dumbledore?"
"There's Frank and Alice's son Neville," said Sirius, "he'd make a good friend for Harry."
Remus nodded, "true, but Augusta is one of Albus' top supporters."
Sirius sighed, "I know, but the only other family I know of with a kid Harry's age is the Malfoys, and I don't want him near Lucius. Narcissa and Draco I'm not sure about, but I don't want that Death Eater near Harry."
Remus nodded, "the only thing I can think of is to introduce him to a Muggleborn and their family, but I don't know how we could meet any before Hogwarts, unless it's completely by accident."
"True," said Sirius.
"The best thing we can do is to take him different places and introduce him to as many kids as possible," said Remus.
Sirius nodded, "we can do that this summer, at least."
….
Albus smiled as he watched the students head toward the Hogwarts Express. He could almost feel the castle winding down, as if recharging for the next year. He sighed as he thought of the once again vacant post in Defense Against the Dark Arts, wondering who he could get to fill it this time. By now this yearly problem was notorious, with some of the seedier members of their community actually hosting betting pools about what would happen to this one.
He barely managed a smile at the professors heading off to complete their end-of-year tasks before most of them would be leaving for their own holidays. He knew that without the students and most of the professors, the castle would be dark and empty. A small stab of loneliness touched him as he made his way through the corridors to his office. Ah well, he thought, it won't be so long before the Wizengamot meeting for June. And I'll be spending a week with the International Confederation of Wizards in mid-July.
He sighed again as he thought of the Wizengamot meeting. Without the Potter and Black votes, it was so much harder to get anything done. And with the way young Lord Black was watching him, he couldn't even quietly push for laws as he had to keep Lupin from getting Harry. He smiled slightly as a plan came to mind, Yes, that just might work, and no one would suspect it's me behind it. He sat at his desk and pulled out a piece of parchment, he wasn't the chessmaster for nothing.
…
Sirius sighed at the pile of mail Dee had just brought him, they had had all mail redirected to Remus' cottage, and an elf was always there, watching for letters to bring to them. The Wizengamot meeting was in a week, and this was most likely the agenda for the meeting, as well as any proposals and requests for meetings either before or after. He'd already met a few of them after previous meetings, and most were either interested in getting help with whatever they were proposing, or worse, wanting to know whether he would be interested in some political marriage. He had politely informed them that he was already taken, but hadn't said who by, as it would be a shock when they eventually found out. Being gay wasn't the big shock, the fact that he was with and had actually married a werewolf would mean he and Remus especially would be stampeded in the press, maybe even vilified.
When he'd brought this up with Remus, the werewolf replied with, "look, Padfoot, I don't give a shit what these idiots think. I love you, and I know you love me. Harry doesn't care, and nobody who calls themselves our friend would either. That's all that matters." And then proceeded to administer a kiss that did more than back up his words.
Worse than either of those, and likely to increase as time went on, were the inquiries about betrothing Harry.
The first person to ask that received an indignant "He's five for Merlin's sake!" They had fortunately for them, never asked again.
He sat at the desk in 'his' study and sifted through the many letters and proposals. Among the pile, he spotted a piece of parchment that had been dyed a horrible, eye-watering shade of pink.
Sirius was still holding the piece of parchment at arm's length with a look of absolute revulsion on his face when Remus knocked and came in, carrying a tray with tea, coffee, and sandwiches.
"Why are you looking at that thing like it wants to eat you?" he asked with a bemused expression on his face.
"It's pink," said Sirius.
Remus laughed, "I can see that, and while it's a revolting color, you're looking as though it's gonna come alive and eat your face off."
"Ok," said Sirius slowly, "it's pink, and it's from Umbitch."
"The toad-woman who hates anyone not a pureblood?" Remus asked, "what could she want with you?"
"It's her newest law proposal," said Sirius, "horrible bit of work that. And she made it pink."
"More horrible than her last one?" Remus asked as Sirius handed hi the parchment.
"You'll see," said Sirius as he attacked the lunch tray.
Remus read for a few minutes before looking up, and now also looking like the pink devil-paper would eat him.
"What will you do?" asked Remus.
"Well first, I'd like to pitch that thing in the fire, her in after it. As far as the law itself, I think the Marauders can come up with a plan to put the bitch in her place."
Moony grinned widely, "why Padfoot, I do believe we can."
"What plans are being formed in that evil genius brain of yours?"
"Well," said Remus with an evil smile, "there is something, but we both might have to be there for this…."
