Chapter twenty-five: this means war

Ron had to say that whatever had happened at Sirius appointment with the Healer - and he knew something had happened because although Sirius was cleared to cast magic once more he'd had a talk with his werewolf that had upset them both for days - he was glad to see something of the Marauder spirit return to the mans dark eyes. Harry had been silent on the topic, though he'd whispered to Ron that Sirius was no longer ill, and in no danger from casting magic. Ron didn't need to know the details; he was just relieved that the man had regained some of his former exuberance.

The redhead had enough to focus on anyway. There were four incredibly complex potions that they were currently researching prior to brewing, three new transfiguration spells that needed mastering and no less than eight charms he was working on. In addition to that he and Harry were continuing to maintain the conservatory - Malfoy had declined languidly when invited to join them, and Snape didn't know about it yet - and they were continuing to practice defence skills with Snape in the form of ever more complex duels and strategy sessions.

He was also trying to get Harry to take a 'top' roll in bed. So far Ron had been the 'doer' as it were, even though they were using a wide variety of positions that allowed Harry to be in charge of how much, how fast and how often, he had yet to get his lover to agree to take the complete lead in their lovemaking. Ron loved what they did, and he knew that Harry did too, but he was getting worried about taking too much from his lover.

In addition to all this, Fudge and Dumbledore were having a carefully orchestrated battle in the papers, over the so-called atrocity performed at the birthplace of Harry Potter. Fudge was not as stupid as he seemed and had quickly come to realise that the Headmaster knew more than he was letting on. He couldn't come out and accuse Dumbledore of performing Dark Arts like that, and nor could he drop hints that the Headmaster had been involved. That made their litany of statements, counter statements and Fudge's press releases a beautifully choreographed exercise in media manipulation.

The Dark Lord seemed to be taking some time off, because Death Eater activity dropped during all of this, a bad sign as far as Harry was concerned. Malfoy seemed to think it was perfectly normal for his almost enslaver to suddenly stop all Dark Activity and made a very snide remark about a 'Death Eaters annual trip to Baden Baden' which got him a severe reprimand from Snape.

Malfoy, Ron knew, was finding it very difficult adjusting to having Snape available to him full time. Even at school, the Potions Master had been very busy with a myriad of duties, which meant that any time he spent with Malfoy was short and the blonde could manipulate his version of events carefully in advance to be seen in the best of light. Now Snape was available to him most of the day, and the blonde had to watch everything he said and did. From his time with Harry, Ron knew that the sudden close supervision was exhausting and even unnerving.

Therefore, in order to help Malfoy out, Ron suggested a sort of prank war in the house. The Marauders could get in some practice before the twins descended on the house for half term, and Malfoy would have something legitimate to whine to Snape about.

He was more than surprised when Snape announced that he would be participating in the prank war himself, and that they had all better be on their guard. Ron was immediately planning to secure a supply of safe foodstuffs, because he was sure the potions master was capable of slipping all kinds of things into their food. Harry mentioned that he thought their professor was joining in out of self-preservation and a desire to wreak vengeance on anyone who pranked him, and Malfoy had stated very clearly that anyone who messed with him was sure to regret it. Throwing a statement like that out in front of Marauders was just asking for trouble as far as Ron was concerned and he knew that the blonde would live to regret it. Ron just hoped he got a few decent pictures.

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"Nice hair," Harry complimented his godfather. The pink and green stripes were rather… strident.

"Yeah, Moony's in for it now," the animagus dropped into the chair opposite Harry's and looked at the stack of books his godson was currently working with, "By Godric Harry, you're turning into a Ravenclaw!"

Harry snorted, glad to see the spirit that he'd associated with his godfather back in full force. He'd been very upset about the block that Sirius had been struggling with - and the fact that he hadn't told anyone about it either hadn't helped. The Healer said afterwards that Harry's actions had been most unexpected, and his success was incredible. The Healer couldn't even get near his patient when the man was in that state. They'd had a couple of Saturday nap discussions about that.

"How goes the prank on Malfoy?" Sirius leaned back in his chair and Harry shrugged. He wasn't about to reveal any details to anyone about the pranks he had in store. Not even Ron knew what was coming, especially after his lover had changed Harry's gender 'by accident' and Snape had informed him there was no reversing the botched potion that Ron had snuck him. Weasley and Snape were a very unlikely team and the prank had very nearly succeeded.

"I've warded the door," Sirius seemed not to mind that he wasn't going to get a reply, "I want to talk to you."

This sounded serious - no pun intended - and Harry marked his place and shut up the books. They were stacked carefully on top of his notes off to the side and he gave his godfather his undivided attention.

"Dumbledore sent a note with Fawkes, about the situation with your parents," Sirius sighed, looking as old as the Headmaster. His friend's rejection of their son, a child that he thought of as his own in his fashion, hurt him deeply. Remus had wept the night that Sirius had thrown James from the house, and he'd been so intent on comforting his distraught lover that he'd never confessed his own feeling of betrayal. Harry knew all of this because of their Saturday afternoon naps - turn about was fair play and he'd insisted that Sirius add his own point of view to Harry's perception of the Potters actions and motives.

"What is going to happen?" Harry reached a hand out and Sirius took it in both his own, squeezing tenderly. Harry offered a small smile and braced himself for unwelcome news.

"Dumbledore has been leading the Unspeakables in the right direction and they'll find James and Lily soon, living in the Muggle world. There will be a cover story that will follow the truth pretty closely…"

"Amnesia, and they didn't contact the magical world yet because they couldn't figure out who might still be at large," Harry summed up in a flash of insight and Sirius nodded sadly.

"They'll be brought in, and informed that you survived. Albus is concerned that he won't be able to orchestrate the way they meet you. Fudge is likely to turn it into a public spectacle," Sirius sighed, "I'm sorry Harry. You'll have to meet them in public, at the very least in front of the Minister and make it seem as if they have never seen you."

"Maybe a small Obliviate?" Harry suggested, grimacing, "I can't… Sirius I can't pretend to love them, not after the way they treated my chosen family."

"You don't need a memory charm," Sirius got up and dragged his chair next to Harry. The next thing he knew he was wrapped in his godfathers arms, familiar warmth and scent surrounding him, "Cub, none of us are asking you to pretend to love them. Just meet them in public, acknowledge that they are your parents. Albus thinks they might have to come back here for a while, but then they can move out again, once the fuss dies down."

"Will they at least clear your name?" Harry mumbled, "You deserve public recognition."

"That will come in time," Sirius confirmed and Harry squeezed him in approval. His godfather shouldn't have to remain a hunted outcast. They sat for a while in silence and Sirius sighed and drew back.

"Ok?" the grey eyes looked him over closely and Harry nodded, summoning a smile for the man. Sirius smiled back and pulled out his wand, removing the wards and heading for the door.

"One more thing," Sirius said as he opened the door and Harry didn't duck quickly enough. He wasn't sure what that spell had done, but he yelled anyway and ran after his laughing godfather, catching a glimpse of his new hairstyle - or rather total lack of hair - in a hall mirror on his way past.

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