A/N: I do apologize for being late, folks. These days it seems i have time for everything but myself.

But I hope things will calm down for a while after this weekend.

What's so special about this weekend, you might ask? (And well you should.)

Well, folks, on July 2nd my parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. How about that! 50 glorious years.

Then, on July 3rd, I have yet another birthday. Never mind which one. Maybe I'll get myself a present of a new keyboard. Heaven knows I could use one.

And this past few weeks I have been going through a very hard time with my best friend, who was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer early in June. She just underwent surgery to remove it and is at home recovering. Thankfully so far they do not think the cancer spread. I am sure your prayers will be appreciated.

Also, you'll notice something new in the Q&A section. If you ask me a specific question, I copied your question and pasted it into the copy. Two reasons for that. One, folks, it's tons easier for me t answer without having to jump back and froth between files. And second, I hope it will help make the questions and answers make a bit more sense to you.

One last thing.
I was ask when I post. I generally only post on two days. Wednesdays or Sundays. If I post on any other day it is truly a rarity.

Anyway, that's all for now.

And as always,

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: All characters of the Harry Potter series (hereafter known as 'legal property') are the sole ownership of J.K. Rowling (hereafter known as 'owner of said legal property'). No infringement on any copyright of owner of said legal property of the legal property is knowing intended. Published by author (hereafter known as 'other') for entertainment purposes only. No monetary or personal gain was knowingly made by other with the publication of this story, which was based on ideas and characters created by owner of said legal property as they pertain to legal property. No plagiarism of legal property or of any ideas of the owner of said legal property was knowingly intended by other. This statement is fully transferable and is legally held binding for all chapters of the story Family Relations as they are presented under different chapter headings and titles for individual chapters.

: All characters of the Harry Potter series (hereafter known as 'legal property') are the sole ownership of J.K. Rowling (hereafter known as 'owner of said legal property'). No infringement on any copyright of owner of said legal property of the legal property is knowing intended. Published by author (hereafter known as 'other') for entertainment purposes only. No monetary or personal gain was knowingly made by other with the publication of this story, which was based on ideas and characters created by owner of said legal property as they pertain to legal property. No plagiarism of legal property or of any ideas of the owner of said legal property was knowingly intended by other. This statement is fully transferable and is legally held binding for all chapters of the story as they are presented under different chapter headings and titles for individual chapters.

Chapter Two: Meetings-Part Two

Sirius had no chance to respond as the man who had come into the office with the note suddenly returned. Coming in the door behind him was a tall, thin man with cold gray eyes and raven black hair that fell well past his shoulders and almost to his waist. To look at him and look at Sirius one could easily have made the mistake of calling them twins. Until one took a closer look at the new-comer.

Though his face showed itself to be slightly older than Sirius', his expression wasn't as worn as that of the younger man, although it was very close. And whereas Sirius' eyes were blue, the other man's were more of a gray color. He was also a bit broader in the shoulders and stood a good three inches taller. The only other difference came down to that on his left hand the man already wore a gold wedding band.

Sirius fixed the coldest of stares on the man who met it with a stoic expression.

"Sirius." The man stated formally.

Sirius walked over to the man, his stare never leaving him once.

"Why?" Sirius said in a harsh whisper. "Why are you doing this? To me? To Arabella? What possible reason?"

But the man all but ignored the question as he turned to the caseworker. "My name is Orion Black." He said past a polite smile. "I was told you were the caseworker for my brother's adoption of Harry Potter Black."

The woman simply sat for a moment, staring at the man who stood next to her desk.

Arabella had noted the stare quickly enough. She was all to familiar with it from her school days. If the Black men shared nothing else, it was their ability to have almost any woman stop and stare at them as though they had never seen anything quite like them before.

But as though noting how quiet the room had gotten, the caseworker suddenly dropped her eyes to the paper work on her desk and began shuffling through it. "Ummmm, yes." She replied hastily. "And you are...?"

"Orion Black." Orion repeated pleasantly. "Harry Potter Black's legal guardian."

Sirius immediately grabbed his brother's arm and pulled him back around to face him, balancing on his cane as he did so.

"How dare you?" He stated in a voice that did little to hide the anger in it. "I am Harry's godfather. I am his legal guardian."

Orion's expression didn't alter in the slightest as he met the man's stare. "You were Harry's legal guardian up to the point that I felt the situation was no longer in Harry's best interest. At that time, I was given the right to take custody of Harry. And that is what I have done." Orion pulled a sheet of paper out of his long, black overcoat. "That paper was signed this morning in the court where I entered my petition to take custody of Harry. As of that time, Harry was in my legal custody. Not yours."

Sirius read the paper over with Arabella looking anxiously over his arm as she read it as well. But she kept a respectable distance from him, as though she wasn't quite sure how he might react.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sirius stated, turning the cold stare back to the man before him.

"Just what it says." Orion replied calmly.

"You're saying I can't care for Harry properly. Financially or emotionally."

The man gave Sirius the most unfriendly smile Arabella could ever remember seeing. "You've just been declared a free man, Sirius. You have a lot of things to deal with. A great deal of matters that need attending to. I felt it was likely that a great deal of your time and energy over the next few months is going to be directed at sorting out your own life, not on handling the new responsibilities that come with a child. As for the financial part, just how were you planning to support yourself and a child?"

"I'm hardly poor."

The smile widened. "And you currently have no access to your accounts."

Sirius' expression shifted quickly to one of confusion. "What?"

"When you were...away," Orion amended from saying Azkaban in front of the case worker, "I had your accounts transferred into my name so that someone was managing the family estate and its assets properly, until things were more...decided. Therefore, your accounts are currently under my control and I don't think you're quite ready to regain access to them just yet."

Sirius stood staring at the man before him for a moment longer, but then quickly recomposed himself.

"You've taken my godson. You've taken my money. What's next, Orion?" He asked in a deceptively calm voice. "Or were you planning on having me thrown back in Azkaban saved as a really big surprise?"

"I'm not doing any of this to hurt you, Sirius." Orion replied flatly. "I am, in fact, trying to help."

"Then you can stop. Because you're not."

"Really?"

Sirius fixed his cold stare on the man in front of him. "What you are doing," he stated in a low, drawn out whisper of a voice, "is interfering."

Orion stood for a moment, his eyes locked on the other man's. But then the smallest of smiles crossed his features. "I'm sure you'd see it that way." He replied quietly.

"Sirius." Arabella said quietly. "Please, can we just go and get Harry? He's probably wondering what's happened."

"You stay away from my family." Sirius stated in a quiet, menacing tone as Arabella directed him to the door. His anger was controlled, but definitely more dangerous than usual. Even the limp that he now walked with was more pronounced under his anger as he took each step.

"I'm afraid that isn't going to be possible right now." Orion replied as he followed closely behind.

Sirius stopped abruptly as he opened the door and turned back to Orion. "Meaning?"

"Harry won't be leaving with you, Sirius. He will be staying with me."

Sirius nearly exploded. "Over my...!"

Arabella pulled him back. "Sirius, please!" She pleaded. "Can we discuss this outside."

"There is nothing to discuss!" Sirius stated in a voice Arabella had never heard him use before. "This man is not taking that boy from me."

"You're living in the past." Orion stated in his same, pleasantly calm voice. "It's already been done. The papers from the court give me the legal right to take Harry today. And I'm afraid there is very little you can do to stop it." Orion placed himself just inches from the other man's face. "Unless you'd like to try."

With Arabella's hand wrapped tightly about his arm, Sirius stood his ground, staring down his brother. "We will see." He replied finally in a very low voice.

"I look forward to it." Orion stated as he stepped past Sirius and out into the hallway.

Q&A

FEVER

Althea:

No one has seen him in years?
That's sort of creepy. So update yo brlliat thing, 'cos I love your story.
You have this writing style, in everything i've read from you, and it's relaxing and commfy to read, and at the same time the plot and storyline keeps you on the edge.

Seen who, Dear? Orion? That's because he's a busy man.

Update? Sorry, Dear. Fever is a done deal. No more updates on that one.

Well thank you, Dear. I am glad you like my writing style. I suppose it comes from being fine tuned over three decades of writing.

FAMILY LIFE

Takethistoyourgrave:

The name worries me a little, Dear.

I'm glad you like the story, and you are right, it is a long one.

TRIED AND CONVICTED

Mrmistoffelees:

When are you going to update? I enjoy the story very much.

Sorry, Dear, once again, this story is a done deal. No further updates.

SIRIUSLY BORED

Flamegirl22:

Thank you, Dear. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Mrmistoffelees:

Thank you, Dear. And although it is one of my favorites as well, I am still very partial to A Dog's Day.

FAMILY RELATIONS

Abay:

What? Your doctor made you go through all those tests- and I bet they were painful- just to pay for his car payment? ... Good thing you put a stop to it though, I know the feeling of never ending doctor visits and tests..they get annoying!

Aw, poor Arrabella! And Sirius too! I really hate Orion now, for doing that! Still... I'm sure he had a reason...and I guess we have to wait and see...

Can't wait for the next chapter! ;)

The test thing was just my opinion, Dear. As well as my belief as to the reasons he needed to do so many all of the sudden. But my doctor had the final word, I suppose. Last week he dismissed me as his patient and has made fairly certain I can not come back to the clinic under any other doctor. In other words, I have been blackballed. Such is life.

As for who you have to feel sorry for, Dear, we'll have to wait and see. I would hold ff on handing out the sympathy cards just yet.

And Orion does have a good reason. I've said this all along. And I'll stand by it.

Mrmistoffelees:

Interesting. Who is Orion Black?

You've been a busy reader, Dear. Good for you. Glad you decided to expend so much time on my stories. Thank you.

Now, who is Orion Black? A short and simple answer, Dear, is, he is Sirius' older brother. If you want a little more on him, I would point you in the direction of Enemies, which gives a great deal of background on the man.

Sugar E. Quill:

First off, let me say that your stories are absolutely amazing! There's a depth and quality that actually outshines the original books. Just don't tell J.K.R. I am new to your stories (I only found them about a month ago, but I've read 'Family Ties', 'Fever', and 'Runaway'. They are fantastic.

I don't really have any questions about the story, as I prefer to find things out as they happen, no matter how curious I am. I just have a couple of general questions. I read somewhere, I'm not sure if it was a story or your bio, that you don't post your stories until they are completely written. (I love you for that! At least I know that I'll definately find out how it ends!) Anyway, on that topic, I was curious as to how often you post? (Barring Tropical Weather, anyway. )

Great work on everything, I look forward to each and every chapter!

Mischief Managed,
Sugar Quill

P.S. - Sounds like you live in the region I do. We got hit by all those storms last year, and a touch of Arlene. laughs

Well, that is high praise indeed, Dear. Thank you. And you obviously have some time n your hands. None of those stories are exactly short reads. Especially Family Life.

I don't post until the story is complete, or nearly so. The point being, once the story starts, I can tell you nearly word for word how it will read. Some times I get a little behind in my typing. But the stories are all outlined by the time they 'go to press', so to speak.

I post on Wednesdays and Sundays almost exclusively.

I don't know where you live, Dear, but I live in the Devil's Triangle of hurricane season last year, commonly referred to as Central Florida. Or more accurately, Polk County...what's left of it.

(Sigh) Dear Arlene. A hint of things to come.

Skahducky:

Wait...after Katlin and Orion tried so hard to get Harry back to Sirius and away from Death Eaters, why would they change their minds and take Harry away? I mean, Orion knows how much Harry means to Sirius and Arabella, and I don't think he'd be doing something as drastic as taking his godson away just to spite him. They're not on bad terms after all, so the only reason for him to do that would be some sort of argument between the two, and if it was such a big conflict that Orion's decided to take Harry away, then wouldn't you have mentioned it? And later, Katlin finds Harry after Orion apparates. Were they working together so that if Orion lost Harry, Katlin would find him, or were they working separately?

Also, was Katlin working with the Death Eaters or Orion? I don't think Katlin would take Harry back to the Death Eaters after helping him escape in Runaway. Well, I know that was a staged escape, but she did do it nonetheless. I don't think she'd try the same thing twice, especially since Voldemort now has the information he wanted. Wait, did Katlin tell Voldemort about the passage? I can't quite remember if she did.

I'll be sure to go back and re-read chapters one through three after reading chapter ten. Please update soon!

Ohhhhhhh...look at all the pretty questions!

Bless you, Dear. You gave PAR something to do.

OK, lets get started.

First off, you sound like you assume Orion simply had nothing to do one day, so he decided to snatch Harry away from Sirius and Arabella as a lark. No, no, Dear. He has a good reason. (I think I mentioned that somewhere.)

Secondly, what do you mean Orion 'and' Katlin? Orion had nothing to do with what went on in Runaway. That was strictly Katlin's doing. She even told her husband to back off and let her handle things when he tried to get involved.

Orion is not doing this for spite. He has a good reason (How many times have I said that now?)

OK. I can see that reading the end chapter of Runaway one could get the idea Orion and Sirius are not at odds. But I would direct you back to the middle of Family Life for clarification there. Sirius and his brother are not exactly enemies, but they have their issues. They simply put them aside when it came to rescuing Katlin.

The past issues between Orin and his brother have nothing to do with why he is removing Harry from Sirius' custody. (But he does have good reasons for what he is doing.)

Yes, if there was an issue between Sirus and Orion big enough to have initiated Orion's actions, I would likely have mentioned that. (Unless it happens to be the basis of this story..., which it isn't...sort of.)

Katlin finding Harry sort of was and wasn't dumb luck. While she and Orion are not technically working together at this stage, Katlin is watching over her soon-to-be-nephew, feeling that someone should be. You know...men, phfffffft. (Unless you happen to be one, Dear, in which case you likely don't understand.)

Technically, Katlin was working with the Deatheaters. That is, after all, what she is. However, she was working with them because she knew what, or more accurately who, their target was. And she wasn't going to let any harm come to Harry. On the basics level, Katlin likes Harry. She feels he's a little misguided, but that isn't his fault so much as that of the people around him. She is trying to be the balancing article in his young life. Making sure, as it were, that he sees life from both sides. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Katlin's taking Harry back to the Deatheaters or not remains to be seen. And her escapades in Runaway were not totally staged...just most of them. And yes, she did do it nonetheless. But what she did, like Orion, she did with good reason.

You're assuming, Dear. Be careful. Voldemort 'thinks' he has the information he wants. Katlin told him the passage did not exist, which was backed up by her capture. If there had been a secret passage into the school, she would have used it and, therefore, most likely not have been captured. But, not knowing the whole story and only seeing the outter fringes of it, Voldemort believed she was telling the truth. And Katlin told that little white lie for several reasons, most of them her own. For one, she promised Harry she wouldn't tell Voldemort about the passage, and one thing Katlin is good for is her word. Secondly, she considered it 'poor manners' to repay the things Dumbledore has done for her by unleashing Voldemort in his school. Katlin has some morals, after all.

If your confused about Katlin's actions, try thinking of her as a little girl who has suddenly grown up and isn't seeing things in quite the same black and white patterns she use to. Something that is going to likely upset Voldemort as well as play a large role in Katlin's future actions.

Reviews are as of 06252005.

And remember;

Hurricane Season: When we learn the true meaning of the words 'Flood Plain', and their importance in our lives.