Author's Note: Hi, thanks to everyone who is reading. Sorry this is a bit shorter, but where it ends is the natural breaking point. Enjoy, MNF

Chapter 21:

Protection

Friday 17 November 1995

Sirius watched as Harry and Jeremy splashed and played in the pool. Harry had never been given formal swimming lessons, although he swam well with the Gillyweed during the second task, and when he ventured into the deep end, Jeremy had to haul him back to the shallow. After the incident, Harry was concerned that Sirius would make him get out or rebuke him for his actions. Neither happened. Sirius gave him the choice of getting out or staying in. Since Jeremy was okay staying in the shallow end, Harry chose to stay with his friend. There was a carefreeness to Harry on this trip he'd rarely seen at home; it helped that Jeremy had no idea who he was or anything about his past. His mother had raised an eyebrow but didn't react either. It was probably a revelation for Harry to just be another magical teenager. Sirius added hiring a swimming instructor on his list of things to do, as the pool was indoors, and he was sure it would be used this winter. Plus, if Harry could swim, he'd have a partner to do laps with since Remus refused to get into a swimming costume.

Sirius enjoyed the shade and the sunshine, even if it was a bit nippy outside the warming charm the hotel had placed on the outdoor pool. He'd been enjoying another cup of fabulous coffee from the café and intended to buy several pounds to take home. Unfortunately, while living at his home wasn't exactly stressful, there were many more people he needed to be concerned with and all the trappings – good and ill – that went with being Lord Black.

Instead of rushing out to do some sightseeing, Sirius had agreed to let Remus have a lie-in and Harry and Jeremy some time together before Jeremy and his mother needed to head to the Portkey office and then Hawaii. Sirius had spoken with Jeremy's uncle, Sean, the developer and distributor of the magical cell phones, gaming systems and soon, computers. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that if Sirius backed Sean's company and became a twenty-five per cent silent partner, then Sirius could have the exclusive distribution contract for the UK. If their partnership worked well, and Sirius had every intention of making it work well, he could buy the rights to distribute in Western Europe.

Harry and Sirius had been thinking of ways to build wealth and help bring the UK magical world into the twentieth century before the twenty-first arrived. This was just the sort of thing that would do that. Of course, he would risk some of his fortune first, as Sirius had the greater one, but if it proved profitable and stable, he and Harry would create a corporation to fund more businesses like Sean's.

Harry seemed to have a brilliant mind for this and had taken to talks about investments and the non-magical stock markets with aplomb. Neville was trying, but he didn't have the same grounding in mathematics that Harry had. Hermione was trying to bring Neville's skills in maths up, but he simply lacked the vital interest. Hermione wanted nothing to do with finances but still attended their weekly meetings about the state of the Black, Potter and Longbottom accounts, investments, and stock holdings. It was clear to Sirius the girl had it bad for Harry and that he had nothing to worry about when he asked her out.

The mirror buzzed in his pocket, and he withdrew it, said the password – beautiful lady – and was rewarded with Amy's face. She looked tired.

"What time is it there?" he asked. He still felt compelled to pinch himself because his life had changed in just a few months.

"Just past five, I'm about to leave the office, but I thought I'd check in on how your day has been? I miss you."

"I miss you too, Luv, but we'll be home on Sunday, well, Monday morning very early. As for how things have been, it's been excellent. The wand making class was amazing. I'm not sure why Ollivander sticks to such a limited core base because Melisende, the wand maker's daughter, who led the class, must have had a hundred possibilities."

"I couldn't tell you about Ollivander, but even the two wand makers we brought in had different cores than I'd expected. I'm excited to see what the next pair will supply. Of course, some of that is living in different parts of the world," Amy said.

"True, but we live in the UK, and do you know anyone with an Auguery feather as their core? They come from Ireland, and it's still not a core we commonly use?" Sirius asked passionately.

"Well, no, but… Sirius, what does that mean? Aren't they portents of death?" Amy queried.

"No, just rain," Sirius rebuked. He pulled out the wand in question and showed her. "It means I'm a bit of a mystery and that sometimes my motivations are misunderstood."

'Well, that certainly fits," she said with a slight guffaw. "I think all magical England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland are wondering what your end game is. Thankfully, I know it, but you are a mystery personified." Amy smiled the gentle one that only Sirius ever saw, and he returned it. "What wood is it made from?"

"American dogwood," he answered. "I turned the wood on the lathe myself, helped created the shape and even did the inscription on the outside."

"What did you write?"

"The runes for Love, Family, Friendship, Magic. Those are the things I cherish, and in that order. You and Harry are the most important people in my life, and I would do anything for you. Remus and the house family come close, but no, the two of you are my world."

"What about the changes you're making in the Wizengamot and hopefully the wider wizarding world?"

"That's where the mystery is, my love."

Remus came over and dropped The Daily Prophet on the table. "Three newsstands I had to go to before I found one that even carried it," he whinged. "You can buy me a tea for the effort. Hi, Amy."

"Hi, Remus. The Prophet from today is full of rubbish. With everything going on, no one cares who is the most handsome member of the Wizengamot." Amy said.

"Oh, and who won?" Sirius asked, diving into the paper.

"You did, you old hound," Amy said, sounding irritated, so Sirius put the paper down. "Your mate was telling me about his new wand. Did you make one too?"

"I did, although I almost didn't." Remus sounded uncomfortable and looked around him for people listening. Finally, he sat down and slid his chair behind more of the bush, which was creating a privacy barrier between the café and the pool area.

"Why?"

"Er, it's complicated," he said as he removed the wand from his jacket pocket and showed her.

"It's beautiful," she immediately said, responding to the pale wood with intricate swirls carved into the sides. "Is that a focusing stone? What core needs a focusing stone?" Remus looked around again and then took the mirror from Sirius and held it close to his face.

"A wand made with the saliva of a werewolf, as in me, and a few of my hairs," he said softly. "I didn't even know that was possible, but apparently, I carry the wolf's magic in me all the time. The focusing stone is necessary due to my not being at full-strength when I gave the sample."

"That's," she paused, looking at him flabbergasted. "That's extraordinary. Can I assume that America is more forward-thinking about your disease?" Amy always called it a disease or ailment, as she knew even when he was changed over, Remus was intelligent and humane. Sirius had reported that with the Wolfsbane, the two of them just slept in the crypt below the family mausoleum. He'd had it cleaned out and installed two couches so they could lay down on something comfortable. The former residents were now in the crypt behind Grimmauld Place, keeping his mother and father company.

"America only asked one question to confirm that I had the disease when I entered. Since I won't be here when the full moon occurs, they didn't care otherwise. Apparently, if I was here for the full moon, they'd simply want to know where I planned to be. They treat werewolves like they have a communicable disease on the full moon nights and ask that they take measures not to be near people so there isn't the temptation to bite, and take Wolfsbane, which the government provides free of charge. Can we do that in the UK?"

"Well, when I have the funds available, I would certainly approve it. I'm still concerned about how to pay the payroll week to week. Tell me more about this extraordinary wand, Remus. Oh, I wish I were at home to share this call with Maia and Filius. They'd be astounded."

"The wood is beech, which represents wisdom, knowledge and respect for the passage of time. It also helps fight mental rigidity –"

'Which he has always succumbed to," Sirius interjected. "Made the perfect prefect as he was a stickler for the rules."

"With you and James around, someone needed to be," Remus countered. "The focusing stone is, predictably, a moonstone. Although, I didn't know that moonstones are meant to protect travellers at night."

"I have a moonstone broach I used to wear when I was on night patrol. I wore it on the inside of my robes since it's like a beacon when the light hits it, but it made my mother feel better if I had it on," Amy said, somewhat wistfully, thinking of her long-dead mum. "It's beautiful too. Did you do the lathing and such, like Sirius?"

"I couldn't fit the moonstone, left that for the professionals, but yes, the rest I did. I patterned the outside after Van Gogh's Starry Night painting," Remus explained.

"I can see that," Amy whispered in a kind tone. "Magic is telling you something by that wand, my friend; I hope you listen."

"He will, even if Harry and I need to beat it into his head," Sirius added.

"Some best friend you are," Remus deadpanned. Harry chose then to return to the table and gulp the remainder of his now cooled tea as he dripped all over the concrete floor.

"Who's on the mirror?" the teen asked.

"Amy," Sirius said. "Jeremy had to go?"

"Yeah, he skipped out to swim without packing, and his mum said no magic, so he's doing that. They need to leave in about twenty minutes." Sirius and Remus nodded.

"Turn me toward Harry, please," Remus handed the still dripping teen the mirror, and he showered the small mirror with droplets.

"Can one of you dry my hair, please?" Harry requested, and Sirius waved his wand and dried his son off. "Thanks, Pater."

"So, tell me about your wand," Amy asked excitedly.

"It is so cool, Lady, er, Amelia. I'm trying to remember. It's just…awkward. Anyway, the wand is upstairs, but it's so different. It has a Thunderbird feather, which is supposed to be outstanding for defence and protection."

"It is," Amy confirmed. "Some of my Aurors used to have Thunderbird wands."

"Excellent. The wood is maple, specifically the kind of maple they make Maple Syrup from. It's supposed to repel evil or dark spells and is good for defence, too. It is also supposed to represent balance, which I'm trying to get some semblance of."

"I know you are, sweetheart," Amy said warmly. She was coming to love the boy as more than just a schoolmate of her niece. "Longevity and generosity are also something maple represents."

"How did you know that?" Sirius asked.

"My grandfather was a magical arborist. I learned much from him about the trees on my family's land," she answered.

"It has a focusing stone, too, because Melisende said I was too scattered to get a good read on me mentally," Harry further explained. "It's a red beryl, and it's supposed to help overcome mental obstacles; specifically, grief and loss and betrayal."

"Well, you've experienced more than any child should in your short life, and I would love to see you work through those things to have a wonderful future. Sounds like a match. Can I see Sirius again?"

"Sure, see you in a few days," Harry said and handed the phone to Sirius, who had already stood and taken his mirror somewhere more private. Remus and Harry looked at each other and smirked. "I'm going to get dressed. I'll be back in a few." Remus nodded and watched the lad lope off.

ITWAU ITWAU ITWAU ITWAU

Off her mirror call with the guys, Amelia Bones gathered the work she was taking home for the night, the draft of some legislation for Augusta to read before their meeting in the morning and her purse. It had been threatening to snow this morning, and she was thankful the Apparation arrival point at "The Dog's House" was indoors. She would have hated to get her favourite pair of court shoes wet. Throwing her cape over her shoulders, she made for the main lifts, not trusting her private one and its spells.

The Ministry building was doing much better now that the staff all had wands. The runes had been carved back into the lifts, which meant they would run regardless of wand usage. Sirius had also suggested they hide the runes in the back of the lift and then put a piece of thin wood, called veneer, over the top to protect them from tampering. It was a brilliant idea, and only four members of the Magical Maintenance Departmentknew precisely where the carvings were.

Arriving at the Atrium, Amelia groaned at seeing how busy it still was. She usually couldn't take two steps without someone stopping her to discuss whatever was urgent to them, but rather pedantic to her, but due to her position, she made an effort to speak with everyone. She felt someone sidle up to her and audibly sighed in relief to see it was Arthur Weasley and his son, Bill.

"Arthur, you're here late tonight," Amy said.

"Was done with work at half four as usual, but Bill needed to get some paperwork done, so I was with him," Arthur explained.

"Oh, anything I can help with?" she asked.

"No, I'm just remaining in the UK, working at Gringotts on Diagon Alley rather than in Egypt, and I needed to have my passport inspected. Nothing exciting but needed to be done."

"Well, we're glad you're back. I'm sure Molly is thrilled too."

"She is, although she's unhappy that I have my own flat rather than living at home. But honestly, Ginny has asked if she can move in with me since being at home with Ron is making her barmy," Bill explained.

"No progress with him?" Amelia asked Arthur.

"No," he said as he stopped walking. "I'm not sure what to do with him, short of making him go live with his great-auntie Muriel. He's just lost all motivation."

"Dad, he never had any," Bill interjected. The trio stood in the Atrium discussing what to do with the youngest male of the Weasley family when something caught Amelia's eye. A woman entered the Ministry through the Floo and didn't head to the security checkpoint as the signs directed.

"Ma'am, you can't come into the Ministry without having your bag checked –" Amelia yelled. The woman looked at her with hatred in her eyes.

"Purity is everything!" she yelled before throwing the satchel. When it contacted the floor, there was a crash, and then a fireball spread quickly through the ample space.

The lower floors of the Ministry for Magic only heard the boom and felt the building quake around them.