DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER

CHAPTER 5: DECISIONS MADE

"What do you mean there's nothing you can do!" Remus was beside himself .

"Remus, as much as it pains me to hear that a student may have taken an active role in Sirius's death we just don't have the proof we need to bring him in front of the Wizengamot. We all know how much Draco loves to brag and exaggerate and I don't want to do anything rash only to find out that my actions were wrong." The old headmaster looked at his friend with sadness in his eyes. He wished that he could do more but his hands were tied.

"Albus, he knew that Kreacher was sent to feed Sirius lies. How do you think he knew if he didn't have a hand in it."

"Any good defense attorney could say that the child was just repeating what he heard his parents say. There is still no physical proof that he was involved and because of the age restrictions we can not administer any veritaserum."

Remus looked defeated but determined at the same time. "Well Albus if that is your final word, I am going to look in on Harry. He made me his godfather today and I am going to do whatever I can to protect him. So I will be staying for a while here at the castle doing just that. I hope you have no objections to that." Remus looked the old man in the eyes and let him know that he would not take no for an answer.

Dumbledore sighed, "Of course Remus. I will have one of the rooms in Gryffindor tower prepared for you. I'll have an extra bed put in just in case you feel it necessary for Harry to be with you."

With that the two inclined their heads towards each other and went on with their plans.

Back at the Gryffindor common room Harry was pacing back and forth. Ginny tried to keep him calm but it was a task that she found very difficult at the moment. Harry and her had told Ron, Hermione, and Neville what they had over heard today and they were waiting for Remus to return hoping to have good news on what actions would be taken with Malfoy.

"Harry, you need to relax. I'm sure that Dumbledore will do what's right. We have to trust him in this." Hermione stood in front of Harry to make him stop his pacing. She received a death glare in response.

"Hermione I don't know if I have any faith in Dumbledore right now, not after everything. But I want justice for Sirius. I want justice for him being taken away from me!"

Ginny walked up to him and stood in front of him. She put her hand on the side of his face and watched as he leaned into her touch. "Harry, relax. I'm sure Remus will take care of everything."

Remus walked into the common room and went straight to where Harry and Ginny where standing. He put his hand on Harry's shoulder, "Harry I'm so sorry. Dumbledore said there's nothing we can do. He said that there was no physical evidence to prove that Draco played any part in Sirius' death." Harry was about to explode. His eyes were blazing and a sudden wind swept through the common room. "I know cub, I know. I told Dumbledore that I'd be staying here with you for a while. I want to make sure that Draco doesn't come anywhere near you."

"But Moony, this isn't right. That bloody git has gotten away with too many things. Everyone says that I'm protected from Voldemort…oh get over it Ron! I'm supposedly protected from Voldemort in this castle but how am I protected from Malfoy's attempts? How long do I have to watch my back while I walk down the corridors? There has to be some way for me to put an end to this." He turned around and walked into Ginny's arms. He knew he was safe there and that's what he wanted to feel right now.

"Well mate, you can always challenge him to a wizard's duel." Everyone stopped and looked at Ron.

"A wizard's duel hasn't taken place in over a hundred years. Harry if you're going to challenge Malfoy to a duel you have to be absolutely sure. If he accepts, since you made the challenge he can set the rules and you know what a snake he is." Neville looked intently at Harry hoping he was convincing him not to do it.

Hermione spoke up after the initial shock wore off. "Of course Harry's not going to challenge him to a duel. That would be reckless and irresponsible. And besides, Harry has never properly trained in dueling so he would be at a disadvantage."

Ginny turned to face Hermione with her eyes blazing with anger. "Hermione, why do you have so little faith in Harry. He has defeated Tom four times already, he took on a dragon, he's the only one in your year that can conjure a corporeal patronus but you still think that because he hasn't been properly trained he can't win? I was there. I heard what Malfoy said and he should pay for what he did. Kreacher is lucky that Dumbledore has him bound to the castle because I would love to practice my Reductor curse on him."

"It's not that I don't have faith in Harry, I'm just worried for him. Like Neville said, Draco will not duel with honor and he can't be trusted. And you know Ginny, you shouldn't blame Kreacher for something wizards have bound him to do. He is just as much a vic…."

"THAT'S ENOUGH! Don't you dare try to justify why Kreacher did what he did. I agree with Ginny. He is lucky that he is now bound to this castle because if I could I would rip him apart with my own hands." Harry calmly walked up to Hermione and looked her straight in the eye. "Never mention that elf ever again. Understood?" Hermione quickly nodded her head and went to sit next to Ron.

After listening to the arguments of all the teens Remus finally spoke up. "Harry are you absolutely sure that you want to challenge Malfoy in a duel?"

"It's time that I took matters into my own hands and Sirius deserves some overdue justice. I am absolutely sure."

"Very well then. Since I will be staying at the castle I will help you prepare and study for what ever rule he may decide to use. Perhaps Sirius knew exactly what he was doing when he left that book in your vault. I think that would be the perfect place to begin since so many duels are mentioned."

Hermione stood up and spoke furiously at the professor. "How can you encourage this. You were a professor in this school and you are a member of the order. You are suppose to protect Harry not encourage him to risk his life!"

"As his godfather I have every right to protect him and support him. If Harry wants to duel Malfoy then I stand behind him one hundred percent. Harry wants justice for himself and for Sirius and I am going to help him achieve it. I have faith in him."

"Justice for him and Sirius or justice for you professor?" Hermione covered her mouth as soon as the words came out. Ron shook his head at her, "You now 'Mione, for someone so smart you don't know when to shut up."

"Hermione's right. I do want justice for Sirius but not against Draco; this is Harry's quest. The justice I seek will come at the expense of someone else and I will relish that day when it comes." He looked at her to let her know that this conversation was over. "Now Harry I am going up to my chambers and you are more than welcome to stay there with me if you like. Bring that book with you and we can get started tonight."

Ginny spoke up before everyone went their own ways. "I'm going to help too and don't you look at me that way Potter. Have you forgotten all the nasty things that Malfoy has said to me and my family. I can't be involved in the duel but I can at least help you prepare for it and if you tell me that I can't then you better start running from my bat bogey hex now!"

Remus and Harry both opened and closed their mouths and just nodded their heads at her. She put her wand back in her pocket and smiled sweetly at them. "Well shall we all go then? We have a lot of work to do."