Hey guys,
Sorry that I left the last chapter at such a tense moment, it just felt right and I don't want these chapters to be too long, really. Chapter 03 alone has nine pages already and the whole story currently – this page included – consists of 40 pages. Like I said, I want to make this story a good one, but not an overly long one.
You get that, good.
Venquine1990
Chapter 07
And that says everything
Sirius' POV
I know I shocked a lot of people by telling them that I am no longer a member of the Order of the Phoenix, but after hearing that it was my own leader who kidnapped my godson and made me be the godfather of the wrong child, was the choice an easy one and was Sly only too eager to reward me for my loyalty and decision.
The fact that I get to remain being godfather over someone who has changed in looks and who I actually had to miss out on seeing for almost as long as Sly himself did is a dream come true and one I feared I would lose if Harry – I mean Rin-Gin – were to ever find any kind of family connection with the Cooper Family.
Yet both father and son had proven me that this fear was groundless and Rin-Gin and I had spend a lot of fun time together before dinner today, yet it's the way that he is telling his old teachers what he thinks of them and ignores Snape whenever the man calls him by his old name that makes me proud of still being his godfather.
I had been less pleased to find out that Dumbledore had tried getting into Headquarters tonight, which really doesn't make any sense as he hadn't been summoned and had been here for a meeting just the night before and when I discovered it was him trying to Floo over, did I instantly allow for the Family magic to ban him entrance.
The man had then attempted to make me feel stupid and inferior by calling me on our united little device and making it sound as if it had been the house itself that had banned him entrance, yet I had shown him for once and for all where my colors and loyalties truly laid as I had closed the device and thrown it out.
Molly had not taken lightly to this, but I had stopped caring for her opinion after sharing with Sly what she had been like over the last month or so and the man had reminded me that, while I didn't like my Heritage, I was still the Lord of this House and that, regardless of my family's reputation, deserved some form of respect.
Carmelita had then made me realize that I really did need to take control of my own life as she had sounded quite heartfelt when she said: "After all, at first I didn't accept Sly's ways of fighting for justice by being a Master Thief at all, but I did grow a great deal of respect and adoration for him and his ancestors over the years that passed.
Sly's family may not always be one that is accepted by everyone, but their actions and what they have done for society does make them a line that is held in account and respect, even by those I fight against as a Law Defender." And those words had made me decide that I would give a whole new reputation to the name Black.
My first action to see this done had been to denounce my membership with the Order of the Phoenix, this event being proven to have been done by my Order Communication device falling apart and detaching itself from my robe, before Sly had taken the Thievius Raccoonus and made me swear the Cooper Order Vow.
This vow had been created by his Ancestor, yet Sly had tweaked it here and there after reading it through and had, once I had been heralded into the Cooper Order, been ordered that Rin-Gin and his entrance into the new life of a Cooper was to be my main priority until the little one's training had been fully completed.
Rin-Gin and I had both greatly enjoyed this order and Rin-Gin had even asked if I could be his silent guardian if he were to have to go outside for anything, such as Diagon Alley or the Ministry and while I had sworn myself to learn some coloring charms that could affect the fur of my Animagus form had Sly agreed with his son's request.
Bentley had even gone a step further and had taken some old Black Family crests and turned one of them into an official Cooper Order badge, William then charming the front of the badge to show what the mission of said member was with the tap of a wand, something everyone had thought very thoughtful and very helpful.
I then decide to prove that I am a member of the Cooper Order and with a simple shrug of the shoulders make my robe fall off of my shoulders, revealing my skin-tight black shirt with the silver and blue badge attached just below my left shoulder and I take my wand out of my belt before tapping the badge.
The badge itself has a Raccoon's face with two different canes crossed over each other behind the face and has my name written in gold in the blue colored raccoon's face, yet the stone melts at the tap of my wand and the words change, turning from Sirius Black into Guard Rin-Gin before they change back to my name.
Everyone looks at the badge in shock and I say: "Carmelita already promised to have Interpol review my case. Since I never got a trial and since Interpol actually works for the United Nations, does Carmelita's position top that of Fudge and will Fudge have to give in if Carmelita demands to take over my case, which she will."
Everyone looks shocked and I smirk as I say: "And they haven't even been here for over 24 hours." Making many of those that haven't passed out in shock share shocked glances with each other before Rin-Gin takes the floor, his face passive, but his eyes proving silently how badly he wished he didn't have to do this.
Feeling for the Little Coon as Sly and I have started calling him, do I turn solemn as I turn my focus his way, many of those around me following my example, which makes the rest follow theirs and Rin-Gin says: "Look, I don't like what I'm about to say and what I already said anymore than the next person, but let's face facts here, people.
There's loyalty and there's utter devotion. Loyalty is where you know you can trust on someone. Where you feel that person will help you when there's something that bothers you or that you just can't solve. When you are facing a problem that you feel is better suited for that other person than for you yourself.
Devotion is a different matter as that can make you make a very dangerous mistake. It can make you cloud your own judgment and make you think that the person you're devoted to can do no wrong. That they're some sort of god or ultimate being. That them being anything but the epitome of goodness is preposterous."
At this, while many look shocked at how well Rin-Gin can word these two matters, do his friends smile widely, Hermione actually having her head leaning on one of her hands and her face a large smile, proving she has been heard her best friend giving speeches before and that she enjoys hearing them more often.
Then Rin-Gin goes on and says: "Devotion is what Dumbledore desires and it's just not right as he already acquired it. Fudge may have picked the wrong topic, but he at least realizes that Dumbledore is human and can make mistakes. That Dumbledore has the ability to be wrong about something. Like I said, he just chose the wrong topic."
And while I hate what consequences this chosen topic will have, do I still agree with Rin-Gin and he says: "People make mistakes and Dumbledore is still human. I'm not trying to make you turn against him, make you hate him or even make you think I want him dead or anything. I just want to prove he was the one that kidnapped me.
And I can." Rin-Gin ends and while many are now either worried and doubtful or shocked, does William step forward and place a small glass container in the middle of the table, drawing his wand and casting several Runic spells all over the container, causing for the blue, silver and grey aura within it to shine with something.
A certain kind of magic that seems different from the aura itself and seems made out of several runes that are highly different from the ones Bill is casting as if they aren't drawn or created runes, but rather runes that belong to someone, making me realize that I am actually looking at someone's magical Signature.
Everyone looks at this in shock, yet Rin-Gin looks from the container to his two teachers and strongly asks: "Professor McGonagall, am I correct to assume that you recognize that magical signature?" And the wide-eyed, devastated look that is shown on the woman's face as she gazes at the container speaks volumes to everyone.
Knowing right now that Dumbledore just lost his most loyally devoted partner and supporter, do I squash down the small twinge of pity I feel for the man and let it be merged with the pity I feel for the woman, who must be feeling as if her whole world just crashed down on her, seeing for how long she has supported the ancient man.
Yet I seem not to be the only one who realizes this as Rin-Gin reaches across the table and says: "I understand your pain, professor, and I really didn't mean to hurt you, but I just didn't know any other way to prove my case. Dumbledore kidnapped me and when Lily and James died, did he take over the Potter Family.
He cursed me to make certain any mail I got from Gringotts got redirected and has been in control of my adopted family's fortune, inheritance and assets ever since. The Goblins only found out this morning and they are still investigating what Dumbledore did with it and how it connects to what the Potters do and do not stand for."
And William nods at this, having gotten this report himself when Fleur came back from work and the look that had been on the Veela's face had not been pleasant, proving that what had already been discovered was more aimed at the latter, which in the eyes of people like Malfoy would have made Dumbledore even more of a disgrace.
"Mr. Cooper, how much do you already know about the Headmaster's actions?" Professor McGonagall then asks, her voice proving easily how she is trying to lash onto a new source of strength and respect to keep her steady and while Rin-Gin looks at her in worried care, does his voice soften as he tells her:
"Enough to know that Dumbledore and his Order shouldn't be the Leading Party against Voldemort. I know that man is just too far gone in his age, his sanity and several other factors of his life to continue leading us and that, with how he currently thinks and behaves, he's just as much a danger to society as Voldemort will be.
He and Dumbledore are pretty much the epitomes of Light and Darkness, but where Voldemort kills, tortures and endangers whoever he feels is unworthy of the world he desires to make, is Dumbledore ruthless and manipulative and is he actually capable of making all his actions look good, even those that reek of dark magic and danger.
However, the biggest problem that they pose is their power. Both of them are extremely powerful and that has gone to their heads and to those of the rest of the world. All of England fears Voldemort so much they don't even dare say his name 14 years after he vanished, yet Dumbledore is seen as some sort of saint that can't do wrong.
They are considered all across our country to be the epitomes – the embodiments – of Light and Darkness and that's what makes them dangerous. Light and Darkness deserve to exist, they need to, for balance to keep the world going. But if both parties appear on stage at the same time – you get trouble, especially with these two."
By now many of those around us are wide eyed, all of them shocked at how well Rin-Gin is explaining the problem to them, while the kids are all smiling widely, their excitement easy to read off of their faces and Ron having even filled up several glasses of Pumpkin Juice for him and the others while they listen.
"These kind of power houses, these epitomes of Light and Darkness, are exactly the reason my family – my birth family – exists in the first place. Because where people like Merlin, Gryffindor and Dumbledore are epitomes of Light, Slytherin, Morgana and Voldemort of Darkness, are the Coopers the Epitomes of Neutrality.
And while we are so, do I doubt many of you even know who the Coopers are, let alone what we do, how we do it, why we do it or where we even live. Am I right?" Rin-Gin then asks, his tone easy and fun and while Snape had wanted to interrupt, does the man close his mouth at the end, grumbling to himself as he admits Rin-Gin to be right.
Others are without these anger issues and happily nod and mutter with each other as they agree with Rin-Gin, who then continues and says: "Professor, my family goes far back, really far. The first known Cooper was born in the sands of Ancient Egypt and became famous by stealing from corrupt Pharaohs and rich Noblemen.
He was famous over doing the wrong thing against people who were already doing bad things themselves. That is an act of neutrality and something my family has strived for ever since. Heck, the famous Muggle fairytale of Robin Hood is actually depicting one of my ancestors, Sir Galleth Cooper and the Cooper Order."
This makes Hermione and several other Muggleborn or Raised look at my little Godson in great fascinated shock and Rin-Gin says: "What I'm trying to say is that while my family has definitely left their marks on the long line of history, there are just as many Coopers that are total Nobodies, but that still did the right thing.
My family and I will always fight for justice and I only want to continue where they left off. But while I am sure that I can't do something like that by myself, am I not like Dumbledore or Voldemort where I demand of people to follow me, to consider me their hero or their leader or to only do what I think is the right thing.
I expect them to aid me, to tell me when my plans are right or wrong and – most importantly – to help me make sure I do my family proud. The Coopers have, many times in the past, fought against Criminals of epic proportions and right now – I'm up against two of the greatest powerhouses Great Britain has ever seen.
And I need your help." My little godson ends his spiel, his shoulders shrugging helplessly at the end and his whole stance showing how he is someone that wants to do the right thing, but doesn't quite seem to know how to do this and that is what touches me the most; Rin-Gin's born Leadership and his inborn respect for others.
Everyone around me looks at the lad in shock and I hear Fred whisper: "Man, we have got to buy a Pensive." To which the other Weasley kids nod and Rin-Gin turns red, while the comment also seems to shock many of those around me out of their fascinated stupors and causes for one of them to respond quite intriguingly.
Kingsley stands up from where he is seated about ten seats away from Rin-Gin and his family and starts to clap softly, his applause getting harder with each slap and those sitting near him, Tonks and Emmeline, joining him, both of the ladies standing up as well and happily clapping, Tonks' hair turning an excited bright yellow.
Other witches and wizards follow their lead and after about a minute or two is a good 90% applauding, the other ten percent either whispering amongst each other, having yet to be woken from fainting or just sitting in their place and sulking, although Snape seems to be the only one who is part of the latter group.
Shaking my head at the immature adult, do I turn back to Rin-Gin, the way he tries to stand strong and accept the praise, while the fur on his cheeks and to the back of his face has turned from orange brown to a deep red an amusing sight to behold, but then suddenly do I feel the magic of the outside wards being breached harshly.
A tremor runs through the entire house, making everyone who has stood up wobble in their places and scream, some of them reaching for the table to sturdy their stance while Tonks is the first of a few to fall over and when I look up, do I tap my wand against the wall, my magic allowing me to see what the walls block from my view.
And the sight that greets me is one that annoys me, makes me break the connection between my wand and the wall and makes me ask: "So, who here will join me, denounce Dumbledore's Order and become members of the new Cooper Order. Understand that you won't have to fight in the war to be part of this Order."
And instantly the twins, Ron, Hermione and Ginny rush for their friend, Molly standing up to protest, but I stop her and say: "They won't fight, Molly. Rin-Gin will just keep them close as friends and advisors. They won't fight." The woman nods and Sly leads all five of them through the acceptance oath and ritual in lightning speed.
Remus is next to take the ritual, yet Rin-Gin seems not to have forgotten his reason for distrusting the man as he adds a clause of constant contact and communication to the oath, my friend turning red as he realizes this, but responding to it by adding vigor and strength to his voice as he swears to this part of the oath.
Tonks and Kingsley then follow my lupine friend and Molly, Arthur and Bill follow them. After this, while the tremors of the house become more violent as proof of Dumbledore's fight against my family wards, do more and more people stand up and move over, so many of them doing so that I lose sight of who follows who.
Yet while this happens and while some of those around me wake their fainted friends, do I know that we need to hurry as Snape's seat is empty, yet I didn't see him join Minerva when she approached Rin-Gin for her turn, Rin-Gin making sure to add the clause of her listening to those loyal to her to her own personalized oath.
Then, just when almost everyone, bar a select few who were doubtful and muttered that they needed time to think, have retaken their seats does Minerva notice the absence of her colleague, only seconds before the tremors finally stop, yet while mostly everyone seems pleased about this, do I shake my head at it.
I then sigh, yet this goes unnoticed as Sly is this time the one taking the stage as he stands up and says: "I just want to thank all those that decided to join our new Cooper Order and for all those that didn't I only have one request. If you chose to stay with Dumbledore, then please do not cooperate in his plans regarding my son.
I have nothing against you, your loyalty or your indecisiveness, I just don't want to fight anyone of you in order to keep my son in my life. Now that my friends and I know that Magic exists we have an extra sense of security that we can keep our son close and that is practically all we want, so please – don't stop us."
And while Rin-Gin looks at his dad in pure pride, just like Bentley, Murray and Dimitri and while Carmelita gazes at her husband with a look of everlasting love and pride, do those that didn't take the Oath nod in understanding, most of them proving themselves to be parents as well by the way they look at the Raccoon.
But then the atmosphere of pride and happiness is ruined as the man who started all of this rushes into the room, his ruffled appearance shocking many of those around us while the way that he furtively looks around the room with a look of anger gets noticed by myself, Bill, Kingsley, Moody and Remus, none of us liking it.
Snape follows the elder man at a more sedated pace, the victorious smirk he throws me and Rin-Gin answered by Rin-Gin throwing him a 'What's your problem' look, while I myself just turn my eyes skyward and think: "Big baby." Part of me hoping that Snape is currently reading my mind as his actions really are just juvenile.
The man glares at me, but whether this is because of my lack of response to his actions or because he did indeed read my mind does not bother me as I am currently waiting how Dumbledore will respond to the Cooper Gang being here. And just when I think this, do the eyes of the elder man fall on my Godson and his family.
The way that the man whitens upon seeing this says everything and I quickly spot Moody, Kingsley and Bill reaching for their wands while I myself keep my wand close to the wall, ready to use Black family magic in case Dumbledore asks for it and then the man seems to lose his composure as he asks: "How did they get here?"
And that says everything.
Wow, Dumbledore flipped.
Only problem? The reason that the Goblins believed Dumbledore to have for his actions aren't really his motive. I decided to change the motive to something that connects this story with my older Sly Cooper-Harry Potter crossover. Anyway, next chapter Dumbledore's thoughts as he discovers how much loyalty he has left.
See yah then,
Venquine1990
