I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter fourteen

When Harry and Hermione returned to Hogwarts, they finally told Ron and Neville that they were learning to become Animagi. Ron was a little upset that they didn't tell him but quickly cheered up when they told him that they would also teach them. Remus and Sirius didn't seem to mind all the extra students Harry kept bringing them. He knew that during the next year they would also have Ginny and Luna.

But they were upset when they heard that Justin Fitch-Fletchley had been Petrified. Harry was becoming more and more depress each time that he failed to protect one of his friends (or the cat of a man that hated him). At least this time no one thought that he was the heir of Slytherin. But Malfoy was now the main suspect because he and his friends stayed at school for Christmas. Malfoy did seem to be the type and Harry was having a hard time trying to convince the school otherwise. Malfoy took this as an opportunity to taunt Harry.

"Jealous that don't have a well-known ancestor, Potter? Do you think that you aren't famous enough as it is?" he sneered at Harry.

"Why would I be jealous? Salazar Slytherin was a heartless git who didn't give a rat's arse about equality. Besides, he looks like a monkey on his Chocolate Frog card. Why would I wan t to be related to a monkey? It's bad enough I'm related to you, Cousin." The crowd around them laughed.

In January Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville found Riddle's diary in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Harry never did explain to his friends why he went into the bathroom. He just felt compelled to go in there and ask Myrtle about what happened the day that Mrs. Norris was attacked.

Harry didn't even bother writing in the diary but he decided that he wouldn't tell the others what the diary showed him when he did write in it in the first timeline. In fact, he had no clue what to do with the diary now. He knew that Ginny wouldn't be free of Voldemort until the diary was destroyed. The only problem with that is he didn't how to destroy it. Last time he had a giant snake destroy it; this time he had no such luxury.

Harry was happy that he kept the journal because he knew that if he didn't he would make a slip and say things that he shouldn't.

He was debating with himself nearly every day whether he should tell McGonagall the truth. With the way that she treated him in this timeline, he knew that he could trust her. But he wasn't sure that she could block Dumbledore from raping her mind. He had to make sure that she knew Occlumency before he told her.

It was nearing the middle of February and neither Harry nor Sirius heard whether the adoption was approved or not. Not that nothing happen during that time. During one of Harry and Hermione's Animagus lessons, Hermione managed to grow a long, bushy, brown tail. But she couldn't undo the transfiguration and Sirius couldn't figure out how to git rid of it. He knew that James had that problem before but he had to wait for it to go away on its own. But it is much harder to hide a stag's tail than it is to hide a cat's tail. Fortunately, Harry had been practicing disillusionment charms since after Christmas and was nearly as good at them as Tonks. The bad thing though was that they wore off after a few hours but she woke up before her dorm mates no one would find out about the tail.

Hermione wasn't the only one who advanced in their Animagi lessons; Harry had dog ears on the top of his head for two hours. He was able to get rid of them but Sirius wouldn't stop laughing at him. Well that is until Harry cursed Sirius with ears identical to his own until he could change them back.

Ron was close to finding his animal. He knew that he was very small and had red fur. But Ron really didn't care. Neville on the other hand couldn't get the hang of meditation. His toad always got in his way. But whenever the boys tried to find the toad, it was nowhere to be found. Harry thought that to a bit strange. But he didn't have time to think about it.

Valentines Day came and Harry put a dwarf repelling charm on himself. He wasn't sure if it was a real charm or just a variant of a different charm that he created himself. But he was grateful that he didn't have to suffer through that horrible 'poem'.

The next day Harry called Sirius on he two-way mirrors.

"Hey, Pronglet, I have good news. I heard from Emmeline." But from his dad's expression, he also had bad news.

"And..."

"Well, the bad news is that we have to go in front of the Wizengamot and present our case. I'm sorry Harry. I wish I didn't have to put you through this."

"You wouldn't have to if it were any other kid. They're only doing this because I'm the famous Harry Potter. I really hate this, Dad. Why can't they just treat me like a normal kid?" He then heard a snort. "I know that I'm not normal but they don't have to rub it in."

"Harry, I think Dumbledore is behind this. He's the only one who would have a problem with this. Besides, the Wizengamot would have to be idiots to deny someone a family. The good thing is that I can choose the date of the hearing. So do you want to miss Potions or Defense?" Sirius seemed to know what the answer would be.

"I would love to miss Snape's class but he would take points from me and give me detention for skipping class even though I would have permission. Defense is useless the way Lockhart teaches it. I can teach better than he can!

"I have to go talk to Professor McGonagall and let her know that I won't be in school that day. See ya Thursday Dad."

When Harry said bye to Sirius, his friends came to his dorm looking for him. This group included Ginny. She had never been in he boys' dorm before so Harry didn't think to hide Riddle's diary. When Ginny saw the diary, her eyes widen. He knew that the diary would be gone on Thursday. He knew that trying to hide it would be pointless, as it would raise suspicions from Ron.

Thursday came and Harry was writing in his journal before Sirius came to pick him up. Harry was finding himself too busy to write in it everyday. Mostly he was recording Ginny's behavior. He felt weird doing that but he trying to figure out any patterns in the attacks. But now he was writing something else.

February 18, 1993

I'm afraid; afraid that I'll lose the only family that I have ever known. Even though he made a mistake last year, he still has a lot of power. My only real hope is Ms. Vance and Fudge.

But even if the adoption is denied, Sirius will be my dad. It doesn't matter to me that it isn't legal. But I want it so much that it hurts. This was taken away from me too many times that I don't think I would be able to take it one more time.

McGonagall gave me the whole day off. Since I don't have class again until tomorrow afternoon, I don't have to return until then. I hope that I don't stress Hermione out too much by not telling her right away. I also told Luna to keep an eye out for Ginny. I know that the next attack won't be for a while but I don't want to take any chances that Tom would get restless and make another attack that didn't happen before.

Ron is a bit jealous that I get to skip classes again. But he understands why I have to d this. At least I hope he does. I think he's been a bit distant from me. He doesn't talk to Hermione that often either. I don't understand why though. He also glares at me all the time.

Well, my dad is here now so I have to put this away for now.

Sirius and Harry sat side by side in front of the entire Wizengamot. Harry wished he were as calm as he looked. He took a glance at Sirius. Harry would have thought he was calm but he saw that Sirius had worry lines around his eyes. This actually calmed Harry a little.

"Let's just skip all the formalities," Fudge stated the second that he sat down. It was obvious that this hearing was pointless. They were a majority rules court anyways. Besides, they were only doing this because they had to have a meeting soon anyways and it was always a good idea to humor the Headmaster. "Ms. Vance, do you think Mr. Black would be a good father for Harry?"

"Yes Minister. I have never seen so many protective charms put onto on house. Sirius' overprotective attitude proves that he cares for Harry very much. It was nearly impossible for me to enter the house."

"Enough of that! Harry Potter would only be safe if he lived with his blood relatives," Dumbledore yelled from his seat the row behind the Minister.

Harry smirked at this. He knew that the closer to the front the more power of authority you had. He even heard some of the members say, "Not this again." it seemed to Harry that even the Wizengamot was getting tired of the way that Dumbledore was treating Harry.

"I think that this is an open and close case. Who here thinks that Sirius Orion Black should be given full parental rights of Harry James Potter?" Harry's smirk grew even wider when he saw that nearly every hand went up. "And who disagrees?" Harry saw only one hand go up and rolled his eyes. "It is decided. Harry Potter will now be known as Harry Potter-Black." Fudge said this with a smile on his face.

Cheers could be heard throughout the entire Ministry building.

A/N I thought I should do a cliffy but decided that is was too obvious that I was going to give Harry to Sirius.

I don't know what month Harry found Riddle diary but he seems to have it for a while before he writes in it. I'm guess between 2 and 3 weeks.

The thing about the Wizengamot isn't canon but it does make sense.