Prince Consort

Chapter 6

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, sucking on one of his million lemon drops he had stashed around his office. The bowl of lemon drops he kept on his desk was actually doused with a calming draught. Not for other people, mostly for himself, but he did offer them to all who entered his office. He knew most people didn't like Lemon Drops, in fact, there were only a few people that had actually accepted his offered sweets in the entire time he'd been Headmaster of Hogwarts.

His thoughts kept reeling about the meeting he'd had with the vampire. The vampire guards were quick; he had noticed them move when he retrieved the contract. With them they'd win the war, he was absolutely sure of it. He had at least succeeded where Voldemort had failed. He had not managed to get the Vampires on his side, at least not those under the Vampire Lord's protection.

The only real downside to the negotiations was he had to make sure the boy would go through with the handfasting. Which admittedly wouldn't be easy.

He was now more desperate to find Harry Potter; he couldn't officially complete the negotiations until they had the boy. Only then would he get the twenty vampires to aid in the war. Each day more families were turning up dead, what the Order did was never enough. Just this morning one of his own had died.

Dangerous times were upon them, and they were looking to him to save them. He gladly took up the duty they felt the need to beseech of him. Or had, it was no easy feat, something he had learned during the first war. Tom would not be easily defeated; he had gathered a lot more supporters than he'd anticipated too.

Glancing at the time, he realized he had to get going; he had yet another appointment to keep. He put a few lemon drops into his cloak pocket, and put another in his mouth before grabbing his Floo powder. Entering the fireplace, he threw the powder in yelling out his destination in a clear firm voice. 'Grimmauld Place'. Stepping out gracefully, as if he'd been doing it from the second he was born, he sat down at the head of the table, subdued as the rest of the others. One of the seats was noticeably empty. Nobody would have noticed it right away if they didn't know anything had happened.

"Before we begin, I'd like us to start by giving two minutes silence to Emmeline Vance," said Albus, bowing his head a picture of grief for the horrible deaths the magical world continued to suffer. Emmeline had been in the Order since Albus had founded it back during the first war. She had been a magnificent fighter, and she would be sorely missed. It just made Albus all the more determined to get Harry Potter in his grasp. He'd be damned before another Witch or Wizard, in his order, would die.

Everyone bowed their head as well, but they'd already been silent before he'd stepped foot into the building. Sirius was pale and drawn, and everyone threw concerned looks the Animagus' way.

"To Emmeline," said Albus, holding up the goblet before replacing it.

"To Emmeline," said everyone else in Unison.

"Mundungus any news?" asked Albus, unaware of how much he sounded like Voldemort who wanted news from his own followers. The only difference was if it wasn't enough Dumbledore didn't just 'Crucio' you, no he just stared at you with his eyes filled with disappointment making you feel guilty.

"Well there's been news he's still looking for Potter, he's handing out rewards if someone can find him. He doesn't like to be embarrassed like that does he?" said Mundungus sombrely, his eyes bloodshot as if he'd been drinking. He certainly smelt like he had, but Dumbledore would never get rid of him. He was extremely useful, and also one of his contacts on many things.

Albus sat up, looking slightly alarmed; "There hasn't been talk that he's succeeded, is there?" asked Dumbledore his voice intense, demanding an answer. His eyes boring into the brown shaven head man.

"Not that I've heard, still a reward ain't there," said Mundungus. As if he was stating something the Headmaster should already know and understand.

Tonks stared at Dumbledore impassively, and then she shifted to Black. He was staring at Dumbledore as if they were discussing a stranger. Not his own godson, who he'd given all right away. Black obviously didn't care what he'd just condemned his godson too. She's been reading books on vampires, all she could get her hands on. They used humans or wizards as slaves, drank from them until they outlived their usefulness, sometimes letting them get with another slave to have a child, who would end up with the same life they led. Then they were killed, a few useful ones, ones with magic were turned. She didn't know if they were still like that, or did it, since Slavery had been banned, at least in most countries. She didn't know which vampire clan he'd been dealing with. When she did, she'd have a good idea just how bad it would be. She had to stop herself from flying across the room and strangling the life out of Black for his callousness. They were supposed to be the light side, it was something she could see Voldemort doing.

"I want you to keep me posted on this," said Dumbledore, intensely. "How is the Minister doing Sirius?"

"Other than running around like a headless chicken?" scoffed Sirius, an old bit of the true Sirius shining through. "He has three Unspeakables guarding him, has given four of us Auror's orders to guard Hogwarts, at least to take the train and get the children safely there. He's been in interviews a lot, with the Minister, the Muggle one."

"He has lasted longer than I expected," said Albus, looking thoughtful. Nobody wanted to go down in history as a War Minister; they weren't looked at too kindly. Mostly because they only cared about their lives, not the publics. It was probably for the best; Fudge could throw off the Imperius curse, a family trait. Other Ministers might not be lucky. "Is the Minister not relenting on his decision?" he then asked Sirius. They weren't signing off on the paperwork for them to bring Harry in; he couldn't risk any other Auror losing their job.

"No," said Sirius, shaking his head, everyone stared curiously, but Dumbledore revealed nothing.

Albus strained to keep his look; he was seriously getting pissed off at Fudge. He was refusing to sign off on the paperwork, so the Auror's could pull Harry in. The boy was his; he wasn't going to let Voldemort get him. If word got to the vampires, he feared they would go to Voldemort to get their revenge. He couldn't loose them; he needed the vampires to win his war. It didn't help that he couldn't figure out how Voldemort had survived that night.

"Does anyone else have news?" asked Albus, staring around at his order members, noting Tonks' blank look with worry. She was always bubbly, easy going and loved making everyone laugh. "No? That's fine. Everyone know their patrol areas?"

"Yes Albus," murmured a few half-heartedly. Albus liked to station a few members, in places that Voldemort might strike. He'd lost three Order members by doing it, but they'd saved hundreds of lives. Alice Longbottom had been the first to go, bless the woman's heart; she'd jumped in front of a ten-year-old Muggle girl. Taking five Cruciatus Curses to the chest, five weeks after she'd been saved by Sirius Black. Frank had gone on a revenge mission, bringing in every Death Eater he could, wanting to bring justice for his wife. When Neville was six, he must have picked the wrong Death Eater, because he'd been cursed with a spell they couldn't identify never mind remove. He was in a coma; living in St. Mungo's the same hospital his wife had been in since Neville was two years old. Now Lady Longbottom had full custody of Neville. If only Frank had confided in someone, they would have been able to find out who he'd gone after. Lady Longbottom had been furious, blaming the Order for what happened to her daughter in law and inevitably her son.

"Very well, I think we can end this meeting here, I shall ensure you are all free to go to Emmeline's funeral if you wish to attend," said Albus, his voice soothing yet sad at the same time. "Sirius, Kingsley, please stay behind I have something I wish to discuss with you both."

Everyone immediately got up, Molly Weasley sniffling as she did so. She had been very 'fond' of Emmeline Vance, and it brought to home just how bad this war was going to be. Her worst fears would be to lose her children; she could never bear it if anything happened. She just wished she could go back in time, where all her children were small, innocent and young, no worry about a war hanging over them. They would be targeted for being 'Blood Traitors' by the Death Eaters. Each day she carried her clock around with her. Which was no help at all, since they were all pointed at Mortal peril. Everywhere they were, was lurking with danger, she didn't even have Arthur to reassure her during the day. She was basically always on her own, unable to make sure all her children were safe.

"What's wrong?" asked Shacklebolt, he'd been suspended for half a year, he was already going mad. Cut off from a job he loved, after doing something for Dumbledore off the books. Needless to say, Dumbledore wasn't exactly his favorite person right now. Yet he put aside all personal feelings, especially during order meetings. He had joined to save the lives of those weaker than him, innocents, and to put an end to the war.

"I think I have a way for you to get your job back if you'd be willing to take the risk?" said Albus, staring at the bald man beside him.

"What would I have to do?" asked Shacklebolt narrowing his eyes at Dumbledore; normally he wouldn't have questioned the Headmaster. Since losing his job he'd been questioning a lot of things.

"Mr. Potter has to be in Zabini Manor, I know for a fact it's the only place he goes during the summer holidays. Unless of course he is with Remus Lupin, and Lupin's apartment is not safe enough for the wolf to allow him to stay there during the full moon," said Dumbledore, he just had a feeling, it was a Slytherin thing to do. Stay where you were especially if it's already been checked. Maria Zabini contacting the Ministry had cemented his conviction.

"He wasn't there the last time," said Shacklebolt tense, he was not going to go to Zabini manor again.

"Yes, he was probably unluckily with Lupin during that time." said Dumbledore, confidently.

"If that's the case Mr. Potter will know, that you have custody of him I mean, yet he has not come forward…there must be a reason he doesn't want to," said Shacklebolt cautiously.

"He's just young and in shock," said Dumbledore brushing it aside, he wasn't going to tell them what he planned on doing with the child. Or how he got the Vampires on his side either. "He will come to accept it, it's only temporarily after all." misleading them into thinking it was only a year, after all, he would be seventeen in a years time, that's as temporarily as it could get.

"Why do you want him?" asked Shacklebolt, staring at Black curiously, why hadn't HE asked all those questions. Maybe looking at Harry was just a daily reminder of what he'd lost? He didn't get it though; he wasn't the only one to have lost someone in the war. Most people would cherish their godchildren or any child of the family that survived.

"I made a promise to Harry's parents, one I wish to keep," said Albus lying out right to them now. He knew mentioning Lily and James would make Shacklebolt stop questioning him.

"I see," said Shacklebolt in deep consideration, wondering quietly to himself, if Dumbledore was being truthful. He had no reason to be lying, did he? After all James and Lily had been close to Dumbledore, just as everyone in the order was. Admittedly James and Lily had been favorites of his. Black too, and Lupin if one thought of it long enough.

"Myself and Sirius are going to retrieve him, we would like it if you came with us," said Dumbledore honestly. "We need help and to be ready, we do not know could be in the manor."

"If he doesn't come willingly?" asked Shacklebolt emotionlessly.

"I will take him by force, explain everything to him at Hogwarts, in time he will come to understand, but as I've said - it's only temporarily." said Dumbledore firmly, "Once I've kept my promise then everything will be well." he was very good at spinning the truth evidently.

"When do we go?" asked Sirius blankly, as he always was when Dumbledore was around. The poor man was basically an extension of Dumbledore's will, with no freewill of his own.

"Tonight at one AM, that way everyone will be sleeping and we have more chance of success." said Dumbledore seriously.

"What if Zabini goes to the Ministry again? There's a chance I could lose my job for good." protested Shacklebolt; he couldn't cope with losing his job.

"In doing so she would have to admit Mr. Potter was there, she won't risk it, she probably doesn't have an idea that the Minister hasn't signed off on it." said Dumbledore persuasively.

"If she does?" argued Shacklebolt.

"Then she will be brought before the Wizengamot, which Fudge has no control over, as Head of the Wizengamot I can ensure they see my way, maybe even have your suspension lifted." said Dumbledore, knowing without a doubt this would get Shacklebolt accompanying them.

"Then why haven't you did this before now?" cried Shacklebolt looking enraged.

"Without Harry being found in Zabini Manor, I have no argument to make," said Dumbledore without delay. His blue eyes twinkled brightly, secrets and manipulation, were his two main talents even as a young boy. He had his mother to thank for that, she had weaned him on it since he was a kid.

"Fine, I'll come," said Shacklebolt, hopefully, Dumbledore was right and Potter was there. Otherwise, he knew without a doubt he'd lose his job completely. Nothing would be able to save him, not even Dumbledore as Head of the Wizengamot.

"Thank you, your help is of course, much appreciated." said Dumbledore, "Shall we meet up here at say…twelve forty-five?"

"Yes Albus," said Shacklebolt and Black in Unison.

Grimmauld Place

Sirius Black was the first one to get to Grimmauld Place for the meeting, for a man who couldn't make even his own best friends wedding on time; it was a miracle putting it lightly. No, not a miracle, it was actually because Dumbledore had demanded it. He loathed Grimmauld Place, fortunately, it had proved useful. Especially now, for the Order Headquarters. Sirius stayed in the flat he'd bought for himself, with the money he'd gotten from his Uncle Alphard. Of course, the entire Black fortune was now his. There wasn't many Black's left; in fact, he was the last male heir. His brother had died in Voldemort's services; his mother and father had died not long after Voldemort's temporarily demise. No there was only Bellatrix, Narcissa, Andromeda, his cousins, and of course there was Nymphadora, who he saw on a regular basis, they weren't close though. A family had always been something Sirius treasured above all else, it truly wasn't just Harry, Sirius was being denied, but also his very family he would have died for. Andromeda, Nymphadora, Remus, James, Lily and especially Harry had been all Sirius had cared about.

"Hi," said Shacklebolt as he used the Floo Network to get over, wiping the soot from his clothes with a simple spell.

"Hey Shack," said Sirius politely, as Shacklebolt took a seat.

"Do you know what Dumbledore wants with Harry?" asked Shacklebolt sitting down. He hadn't ever gotten to know Sirius before James and Lily died. Sirius had already had his group of friends and hadn't really spoken to the other order members much other than the occasional hello and asking how they were. Even now they only had mutual respect for one another; they weren't what anyone could call 'Friends'.

"No, not really," said Sirius, a strange look crossing his features, Shacklebolt was quite alarmed by it. For the life of him, he couldn't quite describe it, it was as though the Auror was in agony as if he'd just been told he was being sent to Azkaban to endure the Dementors. He'd seen similar looks cross those being sentenced to Azkaban during his years as an Auror. Blinked and you would have missed it, true enough Sirius was sitting there as if nothing had happened. He stored the information away, vowing to think about it later.

"Harry's your godson right?" asked Shacklebolt, wondering if he could get the look to reappear.

"Yes," said Sirius, tapping his fingers impatiently.

"Why didn't you get custody of him?" asked Shacklebolt, getting nosy now.

Sirius winced, grabbing onto the wooden tabletop, "Help." was all he managed to get out, his face filled with desolate desperation. Then as quick as it was there, it was gone his face once again blank.

Shacklebolt jumped back, "What's wrong?" he asked the Auror, eyeing him as if he was a caged animal. The Auror's had just passed their surprise health checkups, so he wasn't being drugged. He wasn't suffering from the Imperious, his eyes weren't glazed over in the way that particular curse caused. Yet he knew something was wrong, he could feel it down to his very core.

"Nothing," said Sirius blankly, staring at Shacklebolt as if he'd lost his mind. He didn't seem to be able to recall what he had just done. This convinced Shacklebolt that there was something seriously wrong.

"You are both here, good." said Dumbledore as he made his appearance in the fireplace.

Shacklebolt was about to open his mouth, so he could voice his suspicions to the Headmaster. Unfortunately, his mind came up with a sudden scenario, one that he didn't like at all. After all, it wasn't a coincidence, was it? Black being under something and handing Harry Potter over…to Dumbledore. He didn't like to think Dumbledore would do a thing like that. Yet over the past few days, he was seeing a whole different side to Dumbledore. He was all for the greater good, nobody could deny that. Yet he had a feeling there was something he was missing, the bigger picture. The question was, was it bigger than Harry? He would have to do some digging. All he could do was what he was told, while he investigated. He prayed he was doing the right thing, so he nodded curtly at Dumbledore.

"Then let's depart," said Albus beaming at them, as the three Apparated to the edge of Zabini Manor, and the wards surrounding it.

"Sirius, Kingsley if you would," telling them without saying a word to render the wards completely useless. Auror's were able to override the owner's wards and place their own. Thereby rendering them completely defenseless.

Three minutes later, the wards were completely defenceless, and instead of walking towards the Manor as Shacklebolt did, Dumbledore Apparated straight into the Manor. Using a spell that would point him in the direction of Harry Potter. Triumph filled him completely, he'd been right, of course, he had, and the boy was here.

Harry jerked awake hearing the alarm, he knew that sound, and it meant Wizards were tearing down the wards. Automatically and in Unison, despite being in different bedrooms, they all got up and ran towards the secret room.

"Hurry up boys!" said Maria, as she ran out of her room, wrapping a robe around her as she did so.

"Coming," said Blaise, making sure Harry was with them. The teenagers bolted ahead of Maria, skidding to a halt in the study where the secret room was located. Teddy yanked the book, hiding the secret room, drawing the panel away, while Blaise opened the door. Blaise and Teddy went in; Harry was just about to follow them when he felt it. His magic was being called; he knew there and then they knew he was here. They were here for him. He stared at Blaise, for a brief second, horror painted itself across Blaise's face; he knew what Harry was going to do. Before he could do anything, Harry pushed Maria in, an apologetic look on his face. He could hear the footsteps getting closer. Without more ado, he locked them in, knowing they'd be safe; a House-Elf would let them out.

Harry couldn't let Blaise's mum take the fall, she was all he had. Blaise had lost his dad before he could remember him, and he'd never take that away from him. It wasn't so much a Slytherin move to make, but Slytherins did protect their own. They had to because nobody else would. The teachers were all biased; all they had was each other. Maria had loved him as a second son since he'd started staying there, he couldn't repay her by having her carted off to Azkaban. "Sorry," he said, aware they could hear what was going on. You could hear inside, but nobody could hear outside of it. That's if Blaise wasn't hammering on the door, which no doubt he was. Harry knew his brother/best friend better than he knew himself sometimes.

"Mr. Potter, you've been extremely difficult to find," said Albus entering the study, where his wand was telling him Potter was. He eyed every corner, wondering where the others were.

"How did you know I'd come back here when the Zabini's went on holiday?" asked Harry, throwing suspicion of them helping him completely off the table. Silently praying it wouldn't be the last time he saw them, but Dumbledore wouldn't be crazy enough to kill him or anything - not after getting custody of him. He held his wand tightly in his hand, just because he wasn't giving the others away, it didn't mean he had any intentions of going quietly or at all if he had his way.

"Follow me Mr. Potter, and do bring your belongings, you will be accompanying me back to Hogwarts," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling madly, tonight the vow would be complete. The war would be won, and the world would go back to the way he wanted it. With zero tolerance for the Dark Arts, so no more Grindelwald's or Voldemort's could arise again.

"Why?" asked Harry gritting his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm, he just had to look like he was complying until he had the upper hand.

"You can come with or without your belongings Mr. Potter." said Dumbledore seriously.

"Confringo!" yelled Harry, at the doorway where Dumbledore currently stood, the entire room rumbled and shook with the violence of the spell. Causing wood, stone and a huge part of the ceiling to give way. Harry fell sideways, getting hit with scattering debris. He didn't let this deter him, all those years at the Dursley's he knew how to handle pain and keep going. He crawled over the wood and ceiling pile, yelping in shock when Dumbledore grabbed a hold of his ankle. Twisting slightly, he brought his other foot down painfully against the old wrinkled hand of his Headmaster. With a roar of pain, the old man let go, and Harry continued climbing, finally free of the ruins. He stopped for nothing, knowing it would be there when he got back if he'd ever get back. He ran down the stairs, never once looking back.

"POTTER!" boomed Dumbledore, his voice thick with fury.

"You were stupid if you thought I'd ever go quietly or at all!" snarled Harry; he was a Slytherin for Merlin's sake. The old bastard could get his money, but he'd never have control of him. He yanked open the door, as a curse missed him by an inch. "Expelliarmus!" cursed Harry, not waiting around to see if it had succeeded, he'd be able to outrun the old man, he was young whereas Dumbledore wasn't.

Out in the garden, he wove in and out of the trees and other ornaments that made their home in Zabini gardens. Water fountains, and other statues, he knew the place like the back of his hand. He'd spent nearly all summer out here, either flying or playing with Teddy and Blaise. He stayed quiet, crouching down, cloaked in the shadows not sure if Dumbledore had caught up with him. He knew exactly where the wards ended, he'd felt them often enough. He ran for the wall, which by the way was unfortunately open view. He jumped out of the way of the oncoming spells; it wasn't so easy to hit a moving target. So he continued to go left right and center until he got to the wall before jumping over it. He could Apparate, he'd been doing it since he was eleven, well before that but he hadn't realized what it was. He clutched the wrist band against his chest as he climbed the wall. Praying that they were okay, as he finally hoisted himself over breathing erratically.

He saw a Patronus sailing not four feet from him, illuminating two figures. Cursing, he bolted in the opposite direction, he wasn't quite past the wards yet so he couldn't Apparate. To try with them so close would be suicidal, all he could do was run in the opposite direction and pray the wards ended soon. He heard Dumbledore's voice boom to them to get him. Just why the hell was he so desperate to get him? He was getting his money why wasn't that enough? Damn the old fool who seemed intending to making his life a living hell.

Harry ducked another spell, but in doing so didn't see the other, he suddenly found himself going for a flying lesson. His side crashing into the wall, pain exploding like a volcano as more than one of his ribs broke. Harry cried out in agony, clutching his side, as he scrambled to his feet. As the figures got closer, as hard as he tried, he wasn't able to run fast. His entire body flared with agony each and every time he moved. Looking around desperately, he hailed off in the direction of the tree's escaping into the forest.

"Harry you might as well come out," said Albus speaking loudly, "It doesn't do any good to fight it. There's information I need to share with you about your parents."

"What?" asked Sirius sounding disbelieving.

Harry continued on, until he slumped against a tree, breathing harshly, thankfully it was a rather windy night; it carried his labored breathing away. He knew he would never be able to outrun them, he was delaying the inevitable. Unfortunately, he was too Slytherin to just roll over and let them get him. He clutched his wand tightly in his hand, staring at the band. Could he use it? Or would he just be trapping himself in a Manor he might not be able to get himself out of again.

"Harry?" called Dumbledore, Harry closed his eyes, he was getting closer, with renewed determination he took off again. Making the three lit wands fade further into the distance. He was furious though, that Dumbledore would dare mention his parents. He wanted Remus so badly, but he didn't dare go to him. He couldn't drag him into this any more than he could drag Maria into it. Remus would be furious with him when he saw him again though, he knew that. Only because he'd been worried, he just had to find somewhere to hide. He had to stop soon; otherwise, there was a chance his ribs could end up piercing his internal organs.

No matter where he went, he knew they'd be able to track him unless he got somewhere warded. He couldn't think of anywhere that was, apart from Hogwarts. He could hide out there, until the school started up, find Blaise. He didn't think he was in any shape to Apparate; he'd probably end up splinching himself. He wasn't running from Dumbledore to get himself killed, he wouldn't give the old fool that satisfaction. He was already getting his money; he wouldn't entitle the man to his entire estate.

The adrenaline was beginning to fade, the tiredness was setting in, each breath was agony and he was beginning to give up hope. They weren't going to leave him alone; they would continue to follow him. Growling low in his throat, he with a yelp of agony got to his feet again. His entire left side, felt as though it was on fire. Similar to the feeling of being on the receiving end of the Cruciatus curse. Which he had experienced at Voldemort's hand.

"Harry!" yelled a voice, it was filled with concern, but it wasn't a voice he was familiar with. He did wonder who it was, probably one of Dumbledore's stupid Order members. His lip curled just thinking about the idiots; he loathed Dumbledore and the Order almost as much as Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Probably more so, they only tried to kill him, Dumbledore was determined to destroy him financially, emotionally and mentally by the look of things.

Each wheezing breath, caused him to slow down further, their voices were so close. Just then his position was given away by an owl dropping a letter on his lap. His heart sank; he could imagine what it said. He'd probably just been expelled from Hogwarts for underage magic. He felt as though his entire world was being brought down around him. With one last ditched effort, he broke into a run, just then someone Apparated in front of him, causing him to run smack into them.

"Calm down," said the voice, "You need medical attention."

The light of the wand sprayed across his face, letting Harry identify exactly who it was. Swallowing the bile in his throat, he snarled out words from the bottom of his heart "I HATE YOU! I WISH YOU WERE DEAD! I'D KILL YOU MYSELF! I WISH YOU WERE NEVER MY GODFATHER! I'D DISOWN YOU MYSELF IF I COULD!" Harry told him, punching him in the face, as he'd wanted to do all those years ago upon his first glimpse of him. Then the pain made itself known again, causing Harry to fall to the ground, curling up trying to protect his side from more damage. Oh man, it had been very cathartic shouting at him, yet it had just flared the pain more.

Harry saw another, Shacklebolt, if he remembered correctly, kneeling before him. His black eyes were shadowed with genuine and raw concern. He was tapped with his wand, and then the pain eased considerably, as bandages wrapped around his torso. A numbing charm was added, and finally, Harry lost consciousness.

"Well done," said Dumbledore, to both men, as he took out a Portkey, and held onto Harry, intending on getting him out of there and to Hogwarts where he could be picked up. Grimacing at his hand and back ached, the boy had hurt him quite badly too. He was almost more trouble than he was worth, he pocketed the boy's wand, he wouldn't need it. Someone might get a use out of it, especially as it was Fawkes feather that was in it. Oh, how he couldn't wait to have this sordid business over with.

Shacklebolt just watched emotionlessly, legally there was nothing he could do. Dumbledore had custody of him and could take him wherever he wanted. Sirius looked as though he'd aged fifty years since Harry had spoken. He was sitting there a broken man. Then Dumbledore was gone, taking Harry somewhere they weren't following.

"Sirius?" said Shacklebolt, feeling utterly wretched; he'd been a fool to go through with Dumbledore's plan. It had been his spell that had hit Harry badly, causing those injuries. Thankfully though, with Poppy Pomfrey, he'd be healed by tomorrow morning. "Sirius?" he repeated more harshly, he wanted to start investigating this, he wanted answers and evidently Dumbledore wasn't going to give them. First things first he had to speak to Tonks, she knew something and he wished he's spoken to her sooner.

"Yes?" asked the dead voice of the dog Animagus.

"Stand the bloody hell up, now do you know what's going on? Why does Dumbledore want Harry?" demanded Shacklebolt, he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"I have no idea," admitted Sirius.

"Yet you don't care to ask or think?" scoffed Shacklebolt.

Sirius frowned, "I never question Albus, everything he does is for the greater good, you know that." replied Sirius blankly.

Shacklebolt froze, that sounded too much like Dumbledore for comfort. "Stupefy!" snapped the Auror, and Black dropped like a dead fly to the ground. Grabbing a hold of the now stunned man, he Apparated to Tonks apartment. It was time they found out once and for all what was going on.

Edited 2/6/17