The war has started
Chapter 4
The next few days went by blissfully and surprisingly, happily for Harry. He was out of the house by 8 in the morning and returned only after dinner. His relatives for the most part left him alone, for one they were glad to see the back of him, add to the fact that this meant they were currying favor with someone important, they positively felt like the heavens had opened up to them. Vernon had even commented that the Gods were paying them back for taking care of him and being the generous people they were. Harry had nearly given everything away, trying very hard not to laugh.
A smile crept onto his face at how much his life had drastically changed in just a few short days since meeting his godfather. He walked to the house, the slight ripple in the wards settling over him comfortably. His days these days were spent engaging in duels with Sirius and Remus, studying his family history, and doing his homework. He had been slightly ashamed of his results when he realized that his parents, his godfather, and his honorary uncle had done exceptionally well in all of their exams. The resulting conversation had left with making many changes to his study patterns and his subjects.
Harry walked back into the living room after having spent an enjoyable half-hour with Astrid prepping lunch. Astrid's point of view intrigued him, and learning her point of view, he had always viewed the world as rather black and white, but he was for the first time viewing it in shades of grey.
He walked in to see Sirius and Remus discussing something rather seriously.
"Hey, what are you guys looking at?" He asked.
They smiled at him as Sirius gestured for him to join them. He settled between his godfather and his uncle as they showed him the parchment they were reading.
"Your grades, Moony was able to convince Minnie to give to him, to keep track of how you're doing." Sirius explained.
A scarlet blush settled onto his cheeks.
"Ah...they're not really...they're not that great." Harry mumbled absent-mindedly.
"Are you kidding me? I'm surprised you were able to even keep up this much with all that's going on in your life." Sirius remarked surprised.
"And you are an exceptional student when you do apply yourself, I mean you were by far my best student in DADA."
"I thought that was Hermione." Harry asked.
"Ms. Granger is blessed with a photogenic memory that gets her near-perfect marks every time in theory, but her practice is lacking, and it is hard for her to grasp the practical, whereas you grasp the practical very easily but refuse to do the theory."
Harry felt equal parts pride at being called the best student and guilt at neglecting his studies.
"We don't blame you pup, you have clearly had much more important things on your mind, but, now that you don't have to worry about it, will you try more?"
Harry nodded determinedly.
"I actually was very excited for classes before the first year, but well I got to school and then, I don't know, it just slipped." He mumbled.
Remus hummed contemplatively.
"Would this perhaps have anything to do with your friends?" He asked with a knowing look.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked confused.
"Well, from what I have observed, is very enthusiastic about school work, sometimes way too enthusiastic, whereas your other friend, Mr. Weasley, well, he lacks a certain aptitude for anything remotely academic."
"I guess, I mean at first I did want to do well, but then well Ron was my first friend ever, and when he showed zero interest in school work, I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize that and then we became friends with Hermione she was so into studying it kind of put me off, to be honest..."
Harry trailed off as he realized what Remus had meant. He gave the older man a sheepish look.
"There is nothing wrong with that, but I do want you to know that there is nothing wrong with doing what you want, I'm sure your friends wouldn't care whether you decide to study more or not." Sirius said.
It was those conversations that had led to Harry changing from divination to arithmancy, while Sirius and Remus taught him ancient runes at home.
He entered the dining room to see his family sitting at the table, chatting away waiting for him to begin breakfast. Harry was both surprised and at the same time not surprised at all with how soon these people had ingrained themselves in his life as his family.
"Hey everyone" Harry said entering and taking his seat between Sirius and Remus on the small round table.
Between the choruses of good morning, Topsy had made their breakfast appear on the table. Eagerly Harry dug into the eggs and bacon, making sure to also have the salad that appeared beside his table.
"Harry, we'll be doing both the procedures tomorrow." Astrid informed him.
"Really?" Harry asked surprised.
"I thought that I would more time to regain the correct weight, how is it possible to do so in just a few days?"
"Oh no sweetheart, I wanted you to load up on some needed vitamins and nutrients, it will take longer for you to gather more weight. The vitamins and nutrients will protect you and keep you from being infected while the procedure is happening, at that time your magic will be unable to protect you and I don't want to take any chances." Astrid replied.
Before any of them could say anything else, an owl hooted from out of the window, unable to get in from the closed window.
"Finally!"' Sirius exclaimed before jumping up to get the owl. Remus too had an excited look on his face while Astrid looked amused.
"What's going on? Padfoot has never been so excited or the paper before?" Harry asked confused.
"Ah, well, today is the day The Most Ancient and Noble House of Black declares war on the British Ministry." Remus replied as Sirius hurried back to his chair.
"Moony! Moony! Look!" Sirius exclaimed in glee, nearly shoving the paper into Remus's face.
"Already?" Harry asked, he was aware that Astrid had a huge plan to get Sirius released, which Sirius fondly called The House of Black's war plan, but none were privy to details as she said she wanted to surprise them.
Harry too got out of his chair and stood behind Harry's chair to read the title.
The IQA removes Britan from Quidditch World Cup for disgrace.
Daedalus Desmond
In a shocking turn of events, yesterday the International Quidditch Association has decided to ban all British leagues from participating in the upcoming World Cup for the gross miscarriage of injustice, carried out by the British Ministry. While the British citizens have been shocked by this sudden turn of events, the citizens of all other countries have nodded their heads in approval.
The injustice they speak of? The incarceration of Sirius Black. The fact that other countries are involving themself in this is very shocking and this reporter wonders if the rumored Black influence stretches to the world. Upon investigating, imagine my surprise when I realized that this wasn't because of the Black influence, but because of the hand of friendship between The House of Black and the various Ministries.
"In the year, 1983, The House of Black helped MUSCA and our citizens recover from the giant attacks by a terrorist organization, setting up charities to help citizens recover and helping in the capture and subsequent removal of giants to a giant reserve in Asia." MUSCA representative says.
"In 1984, The House Of Black helped the Japanese and Brazilian Ministries reach an impasse from the ongoing, helping us see the solutions our long-standing feud which has now resulted in a strong friendship." Representatives of Japanese and Brazilian Ministries say.
"The House of Black helped the Bulgarian Ministry find and secure the remaining members and followers of Grindewald's regime." Bulgarian Prime Minister comments.
(For more on the House of Black and various Ministries, turn to page 4)
Even Viktor Krum could be spotted commenting on the generosity of the House of Black and saying he is disappointed in the way the British Ministry has handled the case of Sirius Black.
"We would never dream of involving ourselves in a country's matters, but when the British Ministry reached out to us to ask our help in capturing Sirius Black, we asked for the case files and trial records as in customary in international cases. We were outraged when we were told that Sirius Black was thrown into prison without a trial because he was found at the scene of the crime laughing. This is a gross affront to the House of Black and our friendship with them. When we reached out to the House, we were told that when one of their members, Astrid Black asked them for a trial, she was laughed out of court. This response is outrageous and we deny help to the British Ministry, instead offer sanctuary in our countries." This was the unanimous response of the various Ministries around the world.
To truly understand the significance of this, we at the Daily Prophet have dug up about the notorious Black and his trial and were shocked at what we found.
Sirius Black was one of the top aurors of the Ministry during the first war, partnering up with James Potter, the father of the Boy-Who-Lived to take down many wizards, on numerous occasions he has thrown himself in front of wand-fire to save civilians and his team members. He was hailed a hero. He had also run away from home, disagreeing with his family's ideologies at age 16, and was offered shelter at the Potters.
(For more about Black's achievements, turn to page 7)
Even more shocking, the international representatives are right, Black never received a trial, being thrown into Azkaban on the orders of then Minister Bagnold and Barty Crouch Sr.
How was such a hero overlooked and thrown into prison when known death eater Severus Snape was offered a trial and clemency by Albus Dumbledore. It was also common knowledge that Black was a part of Dumbledore's not so secret Order of the Pheonix and is the godfather of Harry James Potter.
So why did Dumbledore take a death eater under his wing while leaving one of his own to rot in jail? This reporter urges the public to take action and demand the ministry of the truth or the whole world may shun us and leaves us behind.
Harry gaped in shock, looking up at Astrid, "You got Britan banned from Quidditch?"
Astrid waved her hand dismissively. "Oh not permanently, just until they investigate this matter and declare Sirius innocent."
"How on Earth did you get the other Ministries to do this?" Sirius asked surprised.
"Frankly, I didn't think they would ban us, when they reached out to me to ask what happened, I told them the truth and they made this decison themself."
"Did you really do all this?" Remus asked impressed reading the deeds of the House of Black.
"Negotiating peace between werewolves and vampires in Columbia, the giant reserve, the Walburga Black Association for the betterment of Muggleborns."
Sirius spit out the tea in his mouth at Remus's words.
"I thought you might enjoy the irony of that cousin." Astrid said innocently.
"Astrid, I could kiss you right now." Sirius said delightedly.
"Who's Walburga?" Harry asked.
"Walburga was my dear mother who screamed at me about pureblood mania since the start and threw me out when I refused to join the death eaters."
"Charming woman." Remus commented dryly.
"I had to honor Aunty Burga someway." Astrid said slyly.
Just then another regal owl entered, dropping a letter in front of Astrid before leaving.
A satisfied smirk pulled at her lips.
"Who's that from?" Harry asked curiously.
"That, love, is from the Ministry of Magic, requesting the Lord or Lady of the House of Black to appear for an emergency Wizengamot session this weekend. Oh, I love it when a plan comes together." She said with a maniacal grin.
"What are you going to do now?" Harry asked, getting caught up in the excitement.
Astrid grinned at him. "I am going to force that idiot Fudge out of office."
"And maybe even Dumbledore." She added as an afterthought.
"Can you really do that?" Harry asked skeptically.
"Harry, we're Blacks, we can do anything we set our minds to." Sirius replied in a haughty tone, his nose upturned.
Harry and Remus's eyes met before they doubled over in laughter, Astrid and Sirius joining them.
Harry slowly straightened, his eyes shining with happiness, soon, soon he could get out of that house and live with his family permanently.