In the last chapter: On the 25th of June, Harry reveals to the Malfoys that Sirius Black is his mysterious soon-to-be guardian and that his Wizengamot trial was that very day. They all attend the trial, and when the time comes, Harry testifies on Sirius' behalf. The secret identity of Peter Pettigrew is uncovered and Sirius is found not-guilty.

The door at the other end of the courtroom led to a medium sized chamber with several doors and hallways branching off in different directions. Harry followed his companion's directions to the correct door, and he opened it to find a small antechamber lit by a roaring fire and furnished with plush chairs and a couch. Sirius stood in the center of the room with Phil, the other Auror, and the familiar Goblin, Bogrod, from Harry's first visit to Gringotts.

Phil was taking the shackles off of Sirius as Harry closed the door behind him. Sirius shot him a 100 Watt smile when he heard him come in. Bogrod was sifting through a leather satchel and pulling out various papers, while the other unnamed Auror leaned back against the wall near the fireplace with a sour look on his face.

Once Sirius' hands and feet were free, he nearly leapt for Harry before grabbing his waist and hoisting him up over his head to spin him around in celebration. Harry yelped in surprise and immediately latched onto the cloth of Sirius' shirt. When the man finally set Harry down with an amused grin, Harry cleared his throat and straightened his robes as he tried to regain his dignity in front of the others in the room, but the effect was lost when he felt the tips of his ears and cheeks turn hot.

Shooting his godfather a disapproving look, that seemed to not even faze the man, Harry straightened up to his full height and approached Phil first, since he was closest and Bogrod still seemed to be busy searching through his bag. The large, towering Auror crossed his arms over his chest and smirked down at Harry.

"Philias, it's good to see you again, you seem to be doing well." Harry intoned politely, ignoring the smug smirk he and his Sirius seemed to share.

"As do you, Mr. potter. I see now that you were right to be so confident in clearing your godfather's name, you seem to be very smart, smarter than most of the Wizards I work with." Harry smiled at the pointed tone and intentional glance at the man next to him. Though Harry's convinced that the statement worked for both Aurors or Death Eaters.

Harry glanced at the unnamed Auror still leaning against the wall, watching them with unrestrained disdain. Phil caught what he was looking at and turned to his colleague.

"We're not needed here anymore, you can leave, Bernard." Phil dismissed, his tone making it clear that Bernard was no longer welcome. The Auror huffed and trudged out of the room with a glare at everyone his eyes could reach.

Harry only had time for brief introductions between Sirius and Phil before Bogrod announced that he was ready. He had several documents laid out on the coffee table in front of the couch, ready for both Sirius and Harry to sign. Once all of the parchments were signed with one drop of blood from the both of them, Harry felt warmth seep into his bones like he'd never felt before, and then a single, shimmering gold thread of light stretched from Harry to Sirius and there was an overwhelming sense of home sitting so close to Sirius. Harry heard Sirius suck in a breath, like he felt the same thing as Harry.

Harry knew that the immediate surge of affection and sense of familiarity were the result of the magic, so he didn't let himself dwell on such feelings for very long. Their relationship and trust would develop with time, and eventually evolve into one where such warmth could be natural. It seemed that his godfather did not hold the same objectivity once the bond had settled. . .

It was as they were looking at each other, Sirius' eyes suspicious wet, that Bogrod cleared his throat and was looking right at Harry.

"Mr. Potter, there are a few things you should be aware of before I depart. Firstly, we have evaluated your muggle guardians extensively and found them grossly unfit to be your guardian, so we have taken the liberty of singing over total custody to Sirius Black. Should you decide that you wish to split custody between another guardian, just bring them to Gringotts, we will accommodate you. Also, because of your . . . condition, there are several changes that we had to make to our standard custody forms, nothing really major that will actually effect either of you, just a few extra policies pertaining to property and arrangements due to any extenuating circumstances." Bogrod gave Harry a significant look.

By 'extenuating circumstances' he meant death. It was plain to Harry that Bogrod was quite clear on what that certaintitle of Harry's entailed. Harry had seen the policies Bogrod had been talking about. Basically, should Harry die, the policies stated that any transfers of wealth, property, or titles would wait ten full days before taking effect, and that Harry's remains would also be left untouched for at least forty-eight hours before any arrangements could be made. Harry already had his will planned out quite critically, covering all the bases he could think of to make sure that he never woke up under six feet or dirt have to go through the grueling process of being regenerated from the ashes of his body. Any other policy changes only gave Harry more freedom and protected him.

Harry nodded in agreement, even as Sirius frowned in confusion.

Bogrod went over a few more fine details about inheritances, lordships, heirs, and a few other things. Lastly, before Bogrod apparated out with all of the forms in his bag, he told Sirius that he had been reinstated as the Lord of the Black line and a brief summary of properties along with statuses of vaults and other practical things.

Bogrod left in a near silent pop, which left Sirius, Harry, and Phil alone in the room together. When he looked at Phil, he was staring at Harry with a calculating and confused frown. Harry ignored that entirely and said a quick goodbye to the man before he left with Sirius at his side. He wasn't able to focus on what the Death Eater might have been thinking when he left, because his stomach was doing happy flips at the thought of the summer to come.

...

Grimmauld Place was exactly what he'd pictured the old Black family town home to be. Dark, wicked, and as saturated with dark magic as a house could be. The shrieking portrait of Walburga Black had greeted them upon entering, along with the stale scent of stagnant air.

Sirius introduced Harry to Kretcher, the house elf. It was clear that the old elf didn't like Sirius, which in turn meant that he wouldn't like Sirius' new ward. Sirius was giving Kretcher a small list of things to do to prepare the house for their stay and didn't seem to notice the elf glaring at Harry.

Harry never looked down on house elves, he knew that being bound to a wizard or family was how the elves fed and that they wouldn't have it any other way. House elves were relatively intelligent creatures and quite powerful. Harry had never mistreated one—never would mistreat one—so the hostility of the elf was a bit surprising.

Sirius dismissed the elf and led Harry on a brief tour of the house as he made his way up to his room to change his clothes.

"You know . . . I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried about having that elf in the house." Sirius said quietly once they entered his old room and he disappeared into a walk-in closet. Harry's eyebrows shot up, even though Sirius couldn't see him.

"What do you mean?"

"I haven't been here in a number of years, I stopped coming home for summer and holidays when I was fourteen. When I was here, though, that blasted elf always hated me. Adored my brother, Regulus, but hated my guts. I think it had to do with Regulus being the epitome of a 'dark wizard.' My brother had been obsessed with Voldemort back in the day, was shooting for becoming a Death Eater after graduation. I don't know how exactly, but that obsession cost him his life.

"Kretcher always blamed me, for some reason. The few times I saw him after that, he would make some attempt on my life, half-hearted or otherwise. Him being the only elf still here, the only one to service us, I worry. It has been many years since I last saw him, and if he's changed, I don't know if it's for the better or worse. I do not want to put you in any sort of danger."

Harry pursed his lips as he digested this new information.

"You're Lord Black, now. Kretcher will be forced to either leave this house and bloodline for good, or serve you and your ward for as long as we're here. You think that because Kretcher hates you still, that he will hate me as well and try something." Harry reasoned, the glares he received from the elf earlier now making sense.

"Don't you?" Sirius walked back out of the closet, now dressed in much nicer—if not still a bit worn—robes. They left the bedroom together and began making their way back through the house. Sirius sighed from beside him. "I can't just throw the elf out on account of some ridiculous decades-old animosity. But if he hurts you, Harry, I'd never forgive myself for allowing him near you. I need to gain an unbreakable vow from him so that he won't do anything to harm you." Sirius reached over and smoothed a hand down Harry's soft tufts of raven hair on instinct, not that Harry minded.

"And you, as well. I just got you back, Sirius. I will not be losing you to a damn cross elf." Was all that Harry said, even though he knew that elven magic followed very different parameters than wizarding magic and that magical vows did not hold for them.

Harry wasn't very concerned about his own wellbeing—since that was all taken care of long before this moment—and he could protect Sirius easily enough from one little elf if it got any ideas in its head.

Sirius led them to a large sitting room that had already been cleared of sheets, dust, and had a fire roaring heartily before several chairs and couches. Harry sat on the couch at the center, in-line with a coffee table and the fireplace. Sirius sat in the chair closest the couch, his face and posture plagued by worry and nerves. By the time Sirius finally untangled his thoughts enough to speak, Harry had already called Kretcher in to bring them tea and their cups were steaming with a fresh brew on the table before them.

Exhaling forceful and shakily, Sirius looked Harry in the eyes before speaking, completely ignoring his tea. "Harry, I know you're excited that everything worked out the way that it has—I am too, believe me—but we're not completely out of the woods just yet." Harry sat his tea down on the table without taking a sip and gave Sirius his full attention.

"You're a very smart and observant boy, Harry. So I hope you will understand why I need to do this. . . You see, I was in that prison for many years, and it has taken a toll on my mind. I am not such a fool as to think that I've emerged unscathed from this experience, and so I will not pretend that that is the case. It will take time for me to return to who I once was—if I even can. Anyways, I think it would be best for me to start seeing a mind-healer twice a week or so. I wish to be the best guardian that I can for you, but I'm not there quite yet, and I know this. I'm sorry. You've only just obtained your chosen guardian and he's already broken." Sirius gave a self-deprecating laugh and shifted his gaze away.

Harry studied Sirius for a long, quiet moment before answering.

"Actually, I'm relieved. I knew from the start that you wouldn't be 100% after leaving a place like that. I mean, it amazes me that you're doing this well already! You're even seeking out help yourself without my suggestion." Harry assured, but Sirius only relaxed partially, still looking guilty for whatever reason.

"Honestly, Sirius, you don't have to worry about leaving me on my own. I spent most of my time alone before Hogwarts, and honestly? I kind of miss the privacy." Sirius looked up hesitantly, as if afraid he'd see something in Harry's face that spoke the exact opposite of his words. "Besides, I'll probably be living in the Black library this summer. It's practically famous!" At that, Sirius flashed a knowing smile and seemed to finally melt into his chair with ease, pick up his tea, and taking a sip.

They sat in companionable silence for several minutes as they sipped their tea and watched the dancing flames curl and caress the charring logs in the fireplace. Without really giving himself a chance to think about it, Harry opened his mouth and asked.

"Can you teach me the animagus transformation?" Sirius choked on the tea in his mouth and had to quickly pinch his nose closed to keep some from shooting out his nostrils. Harry barely reacted, only turning his head slightly to watch the display with growing amusement.

"What?" Sirius croaked once his airways were cleared.

"The animagus transformation, I want to learn it. Complicated magic fascinates me and out of all of the different avenues of it that I want to explore, the animagus transformation seems to be the safest, with very little consequences should it go wrong—all being fixable. Plus . . . you and my father both learned when you were in Hogwarts, and I want to feel closer to him . . . to you." Harry knew exactly what kinds of stings he was pulling on, but it was true.

Harry wanted something to bond with his Godfather over. Harry wasn't exactly the best in social situations and this would give him an excuse to spend lots of time with his Godfather without being able to talk himself out of it in favor of burying himself in many fascinating books he'd no doubt find in the library. Besides, as a minor, he wouldn't have to register his form until he came of age, and an animagus form could be very helpful to him in the future.

Sirius looked at Harry with such a profound expression, it made Harry slightly uncomfortable. Without saying anything, Sirius stood up from his chair and plopped down next to Harry on the couch before pulling him into a fierce hug. Harry returned the bone-crushing hug with several pats on the back and awkwardly sitting as still as he possibly could.

When Sirius finally pulled back, his eyes were faintly wet and his lips were pressed together tightly to contain the grin trying to force itself onto his mouth. Harry felt his own begrudging amusement in response to his Godfather's antics.

"Of course I'll teach you, Harry. It won't be easy, it'll take time and patience—things that most eleven-year-olds lack—but I'll teach you the best I can." Mischief leapt through Sirius' expression and he lightly cuffed Harry on the shoulder, as if wanting to be playful and teasing but also thinking that Harry's bones were made of glass and his skin a tissue paper.

Sirius' expression softened and for a moment it seemed as though he was staring through Harry, rather than at him.

"Your parents would have been so proud." His voice was a gentle call to ears it'd never reach and Harry felt as though he was intruding on something private. Harry cleared his throat nervously and took a Luke-warm sip of his tea. The gesture seemed to snap Sirius out of whatever fog he'd slipped into and the mischief returned as his eyes narrowed in on Harry once again.

"We'll need to take a quick trip to the shops, then." Piercing Harry with a knowing look, he worried that whatever Sirius had in mind for him, Harry certainly wouldn't like it.

"What? Why?" Harry's startled question trailed after Sirius as the man shot up and began purposefully striding out of the room. Harry hurried to catch up.

"For a Mandrake Leaf of course!" Sirius exclaimed through the halls of the building without looking back. Sirius wasn't leading them towards the front door, so Harry assumed they'd be using the floo, much to his displeasure.

"What on earth would we need a Mandrake Leaf for?" Harry's voice rose several notches in incredulity as he remembered the horrible screeching plants they unearthed in Herbology. When they reached the only fireplace that seemed to currently be connect to the floo system, in the kitchen, Harry stopped Sirius with a slender hand on his elbow. Sirius grinned down at him and Harry swallowed loudly.

"Why, everyone knows that the first step to an Animagus transformation is to hold the leaf of a Mandrake in one's mouth for a month. Summer is the perfect time to start such training, since you don't have to worry about school. Your father and I weren't nearly as smart! Spent an entire month with our mouths closed because we didn't want anyone knowing what we were trying to do and if you pierce the leaf with your teeth, you have to start over, so talking was certainly out."

As Sirius continued to speak, Harry felt less and less sure that he'd made the right decision. Sirius used the boy's distracted state to guide him into the floo, pour floo powder into his hand, and coaxed him into calling out their destination.

Merlin have mercy, because these bloody Gryffindors were going to be the death of him!