Chapter Twenty-Seven
A/N: Warnings for slash (nothing explicit) and possible mentions of child abuse.
By the time Sirius stopped howling with laughter, it was almost time for Harry to come home.
"Brilliant Moony, but are you sure?" he asked.
"Very," said Remus firmly but with a smile.
"Alright then, but what about Harry? Hey, maybe we can get Dee or one of the other elves to look after him."
"That's what I was going to suggest," said Remus.
"OK, we've got a little more than a week and a half to plan," said Sirius eagerly.
Just then, a whirlwind in the form of Harry burst into the room. He was waving a paper in his hand and smiling hugely.
"Hey pup!" said Sirius as the whirlwind jumped on him and attached himself to Sirius with a grip that surprised him, "Ooof you're strong!" he said with a laugh.
'We got our report cards today!" Harry exclaimed, handing the paper to Sirius, "I got full marks!"
"Well done!" said a smiling Remus, "this deserves a celebration! What do you want for dinner tonight?"
Harry squealed, "pizza! Can we do a bonfire and roast marshmallows too?"
Sirius grinned, "I think we can do that."
….
After a wonderful dinner of pizza, (both Harry and Sirius ended up wearing at least some of it) followed by a bonfire and roasted marshmallows, Harry was sent off to bed, giving Remus and Sirius time to plan.
"Are you sure Moony?" asked Sirius for the hundredth time.
"That I love you and don't care who knows it? Yes Padfoot. For the thousandth time yes."
Sirius grinned and kissed him, "you know Umbitch will screech worse than any banshee when we do this."
Remus winced, "two words Padfoot, Ear Plugs."
Sirius laughed, "you think of everything."
Remus laughed with him, "I know."
…..
…..
Albus smiled to himself as he looked through the mail from the Wizengamot. His grin widened as he spotted the pink parchment from Delores Umbridge. I knew she would do it. He thought, there's no way Black can counter this. He popped a lemon drop in his mouth and continued to smile as he enjoyed the treat. He couldn't wait until the next meeting.
…
Harry looked on in awe as Sirius dressed in his full Wizengamot robes.
Sirius grinned, "someday you'll wear these too Pup."
"I will?" asked Harry with wide eyes, "when?"
Sirius laughed, "when you grow up and take your seat on the Wizengamot," he said, ruffling Harry's hair.
Harry smiled, "that's the magic government right? That's what Mum's books said."
"Right," said Sirius, "when you get a little older, I'll start teaching you about how it works and what you'll have to do."
"Cool!" said Harry excitedly.
Just then Remus walked out in his new dress robes. He smiled at Harry and walked next to Sirius. "Ready?" he asked.
Just then Remus walked out in his new dress robes. He smiled at Harry and walked next to Sirius. "Ready?" he asked.
"As I'll ever be," said Sirius getting up, "you know Dee is coming to stay with you Pup. She should be coming soon."
There was a pop, and Dee stood in front of them, "I is being here to watch young Master Harry," she said.
"OK Dee thank you," said Sirius turning back to Harry, he said, "be good for Dee and don't leave the trunk."
"OK," said Harry. Turning to Dee he asked, "Can we work in the garden?"
"Yes, Master Harry," said Dee, "I bes liking gardens."
Remus smiled, "have fun you two."
"We will," said Harry, "good luck!"
Sirius and Remus smiled as they Apparated out and Harry led Dee toward the garden.
…..
As they approached the Wizengamot chamber, many of the members greeted Sirius cordially, a few stopped to talk, while some just nodded politely. A few, mostly the Death Eaters and people like Umbridge, just jerked their heads in an approximation of a polite nod, to which Sirius responded in kind. Remus was introduced as a friend who was helping him with the meeting. Those who knew him smiled and chatted with the pair, but he was mostly ignored, which suited their plans nicely.
Once they reached Sirius' seat, they sat down and waited for the meeting to begin. As an 'assistant', Remus was allowed to sit in the seat meant for a Lord's entourage instead of the public gallery.
…..
As Albus walked into the chamber, he was a bit surprised at Remus' presence, but with long practice he managed not to show it. He sat in his assigned chair and looked at the two, wondering why Remus was there and what the two Marauders were planning. He had a sinking feeling he would find out soon.
…
Did you see Dumbledore's face when he walked in? signed Sirius under the counter/desk on which the parchments of new laws and agenda was sitting.
Yes, Remus signed back, he was surprised to see me here, though he tried not to show it.
Sirius smiled tightly, noticed that did you? At Remus' look, he signed, You were always observant.
Remus smiled at him, I think the meeting's about to start.
Sirius turned toward the front of the chamber. Remus was right. As they had been signing, the minister and the rest of the Wizengamot had entered and sat down.
"Come to order!" said Bagnold, banging her gavel, "let it be noted that the session for the Wizengamot for June 1986 is about to begin."
Sirius sat straighter in his chair, and Remus pulled out a piece of parchment to take notes like a proper 'assistant' would.
….
After two hours and a break for lunch, it was time for Umbridge's proposal.
"And mow, Madam Delores Umbridge will speak on the new law she proposed," said Minister Bagnold.
Umbridge stood, "hem hem. My proposal is a simple one. You all know of the werewolf problem and how it has effected our country. That they were in league with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is a fact. To counteract this problem and prevent such things from happening in the future, I propose that all of these dark creatures be forced to leave Britain, on pain of execution. Any werewolf that refuses to leave will face the Dementor's Kiss."
Murmuring rose around the room, more than a few people shouted, "that's barbaric!" Much to Umbridge's displeasure.
Sirius stood and asked for the floor.
"Granted," said Bagnold.
"I am extremely opposed to this proposal," said Sirius, "and not just because, as some of you stated, it's barbaric. "
He reached for Remus' hand and pulled him to satnd beside him, "I am also opposed because you would be condemning my husband to a fate worse than death."
Shocked murmuring once again was heard throughout the room, while Umbridge looked a mixture of shocked, disgusted, and as though she had eaten something extremely rotten.
When the room finally quieted, Sirius spoke again, "we are very private people, and normally would not announce our marriage in this way, but this idiotic and barbaric proposal has forced our hand. I say you would be condemning him to death because I know he would never leave me, even on pain of death or worse." Remus nodded at this.
Sirius cleared his throat, "I vote that we not only dismiss this vile proposal with all the disgust it deserves, but that we also have the DMLE look very carefully at the kind of person who would put forth such a horrid thing."
Many people stated their agreement, so many that Umbridge was looking like she was about to be stampeded by a herd of elephants. Remus noticed a flash of something he couldn't discern in Dumbledore's eyes, but it passed quickly.
"Very well spoken, Lord Black," said Minister Bagnold, "let us put it to a vote. Those who wish to deny this proposal, light your wands." Almost every wand in the room lit up.
"Proposal denied," said Bagnold, "all those who wish for an investigation of Madam Umbridge, light your wands."
Again, almost the entire room lit up, "Motion passed," said the minister, "Madam Umbridge is hearby ordered to cooperate with the DMLE's investigation and reminded to not leave the country." She then banged her gavel and called the meeting to a close.
Umbridge looked horrorstruck.
As they filed out of the chamber, many members made comments on his excellent speech and congratulated him and Remus on their marriage.
When they were the only ones left, Sirius spun Remus around in the air before kissing him passionately.
"We did it!" he cried excitedly, "we even managed to get the toad investigated. Did you see her face?"
"Yes," said Remus smiling happily, "let's go home."
