Disclaimer: HP and Co. belong to J.K. Rowling, Sirius and Orion are mine however.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait between updates. I hope you guys like this one. All court related stuff is completely made up (I know nothing) so please don't comment about that. Otherwise, I hope you all enjoy.

R/R

Chapter 4: Desperate Times

Halloween was fast approaching, time had been flying by at school. Jamie Weasley was still madly researching everything and anything to do with Harry Potter and declaring him legally unable to take care of himself. The twins remained oblivious of this latest threat to their family as they were far to busy preparing for the Halloween feast and party. The upper years were getting a dance in the Great Hall, and the younger years were getting a special party down in the dungeons.

"Are you excited?" Michael asked as he put the finishing touches on his vampire costume.

"Yea, I worked hard on this costume" Ori said, brushing his blond hair back from his eyes, he was dressed up as a Quidditch player, his father actually, having owled home for a special costume and broom.

"You look just like your dad, its sort of creepy" Michael said with a small smile.

"That is the point Zabini" Ori said with a grin, checking the time.

"C'mon we need to get to the feast" Michael said with a grin, the two boys heading out of the Common Room, laughing and talking the whole way.

MOA

"I can't believe they're doing this again" Draco growled angrily, staring down at the letter Harry had just handed him. Harry nodded dumbly, his green eyes slightly glassy, indicating his level of shock.

"Its been years since they dredged this up" Harry murmured, rubbing a hand over his slightly chapped lips.

Draco nodded, silver eyes reading over the words penned neatly on the page.

"They're saying some new information has come to light regarding your ability to safely parent our children. They're calling for a meeting with us and the Ministry, basically they're saying when the boys are home for the summer you are incapable for caring for them on your own because I work full time" Draco murmured. "Also, Molly is trying for custody of you again, which is just a farce" Draco grumbled, though he was a bit worried. If the Ministry declared Harry as incapable of caring for the twins during the summer, Molly might try to file for Harry again, arguing that if he's incapable of taking care of children, he is incapable of taking care of himself and needs to be in someone else's care. This wasn't good, the argument was much better this time, and it could be bad, very bad.

"We need to speak to Severus" Harry murmured gently, "He mentioned working on a potion to fix my spine, I know it was more of a hobby for him, but we might need it now. The Ministry can't declare me incapable of caring for myself or our children if I'm physically sound. This entire suit is based on me being paralyzed and in a wheelchair" He said, Draco nodding in understanding. If Harry could walk, the Weasleys didn't have a leg to stand on, and right now they needed that advantage.

MOA

Sirius read over the letter from his parents worriedly. He and Ori were sitting in the library doing their homework when their father's owl had appeared, which was odd, since it was nowhere near a meal time, which was typically when students received post.

"Do you think it's true?" Siri asked his twin, folding up the letter once the pair were done with it, not wanting the note to fall into the wrong hands.

"Sounds like it is, Dad and Father sound really concerned" Orion murmured, "They said the investigation is beginning already and we're going to be interviewed by ministry officials and everything" Orion added, scowling.

"This isn't good" Siri murmured, "They're trying to take Dad away again, like they did before we were born" He scowled as well, unconsciously mimicking Orion.

"What if they decide to take Dad away and us? What if we have to go live with someone else?" Siri asked, chewing his lip, going from angry to worried.

"They won't, it's only Dad they're worried about. But, if we did have to go live with someone else, it'd either be Grandma and Papa or our godfathers" Orion said. Fred and George had been named godfathers to the boys, Fred being Siri's and George had Ori, so if anything were to happen, the boys were in good hands.

"I don't like this" Siri muttered, he loved his Uncles and grandparents but he didn't want to lose his Dad nor did he want to be sent to live somewhere else.

"Don't worry" Orion murmured, "Like Papa and Father would ever allow someone to try and take Dad away. They've tried before and failed" He said firmly, squeezing his brother's hand. Siri nodded, though he still didn't look overly assured, he really, really, really didn't like this situation.

"C'mon lets finish our homework" Orion said, trying to distract his brother. "Potions' is due tomorrow and you're only half done" He added, his tone mock serious. Siri rolled his eyes, but Orion's ploy had worked and Siri relaxed as he tugged his parchment towards him.

MOA

"Mrs. Abbot you can't be serious" Lucius Malfoy said, his hands tightening on his familiar cane as he looked at Hannah Abbot, the girl, a Hufflepuff if he remembered correctly, had graduated with Harry and Draco and was the representative sent from the Ministry to review Harry's case.

"But I am Mr. Malfoy, I have been assigned by the department to investigate these claims that Mr. Potter-Malfoy is not fit to remain with his children alone as well as examine his mental competence in order to care for himself" She said primly, straightening the papers she had placed in front of her.

"I understand that Mrs. Abbot, however I do not understand why the Ministry has even allowed this issue to be drudged up again" Lucius drawled, narrowing his eyes at the girl. "The original case was dropped eleven years ago and never since then has my son-in-law's parenting skills been called into question. What I do not understand Mrs. Abbot is why this is suddenly an issue now" He said, fingers drumming against his cane.

Hannah flushed, clearly she was unaccustomed to dealing with someone like Lucius.

"You see Mr. Malfoy, the Ministry deals with all cases where children are in danger with extreme seriousness. Because Mr. Potter-Malfoy is a very high-profile citizen anything concerning him is considered very high priority" She said, shuffling her papers again. "I am conducting this investigation on behalf of the Minister and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement" Hannah explained, "I am here because I need to conduct interviews with those who associate with Mr. Potter-Malfoy as well as take a survey of his home to see if it is a conducive and safe environment for himself and his children. If I find, at all, that there are issues I will have to follow procedure and remove Mr. Potter-Malfoy from the home until such a time that he is deemed capable of caring for himself and caring for his children" She said primly, like most people in the wizarding world, Hannah had been horrified when Harry had married Draco Malfoy and she felt that he would be better of in the Weasley home, it was probably safer for him.

Lucius sneered, his silver-grey hair shining lightly as he surveyed the girl in front of him.

"I assure you Mrs. Abbot you will find that my son-in-law is completely capable of caring for himself and his children and this lawsuit is a complete farce and a waste of Ministry resources" He said, smirking as she scowled at him.

"Be that as it may Mr. Malfoy, I will continue with my investigation and I promise you that if I find anything off or out of place Mr. Potter-Malfoy will be placed with a family we, the Department, deem fit and he will not be returned" Hannah said, her tone shrill as she grabbed her papers and stalked out of his office.

"Well damn" Lucius grumbled, shaking his head in annoyance and disgust, it seemed this would only get worse.

MOA

Siri and Orin shifted uncomfortably in the abandoned classroom as Mrs. Hannah Abbot settled herself in front of them.

"It's just a few questions boys, nothing to worry about" The blonde haired woman said with a small smile.

"We know, our Papa owled us" Orion said, his arm wrapped stiffly around Siri's shoulders.

"Well then" Hannah said, her smile falling as she looked at the Malfoy twins. Her eyes were, inadvertently drawn to the scar on Siri's cheek. She knew how he got that scar and well it could be argued Harry was a hero for saving his son, the baby would never have been placed in such danger in different circumstances. Smirking, she jotted a quick note down on her piece of parchment before returning her attention to the boys.

"So then" She murmured, positioning the parchment on the desk, her quill prepared.

Half an hour later, Siri and Ori left the room, both of them stunned. They had been assured that the questions would be standard and nothing to worry about. But that question session had been hell and neither boy felt that they had done a good job. None of the questions had really been about how good their parents were at raising them, but about specific events in which Harry had had a bit of difficult with the boys, painting a very bad picture of their Dad.

"We need to owl Father" Orion said, dragging his brother to the owlery where he scribbled a hasty note to his father and sent it off. While Orion was reacting, Siri was in a state of shock, the woman had gone on a rant about his injury, even going so far as to take a picture of his scar for her 'file' as she said, nearly reducing the young boy to tears.

Finishing with the owl, Orion looked at his twin, Siri was standing next to him shaking, his face stark white. Sighing, Ori pulled his twin against him, hugging him fiercely, he knew he needed to get Siri to the hospital wing for a calming draught or something, but he didn't want to let him go. Finally, Orion shook his head, gathering himself mentally before taking his brother's hand and gently leading him to the Hospital Wing.

Madame Pomfrey had just finished tidying up her office when the two Potter-Malfoy twins came into the room. She took one look at Sirius and had him into bed with a calming draught laced with a mild sleep aid. As soon as the blond boy was sleep, she turned to his brother expectantly. Orion sighed, sitting down in the chair next to Siri's bed and began to speak in a hushed tone, filling the nurse in on everything that had happened. Poppy frowned, why had there not been a teacher present when the boys had been interviewed, it was completely illegal to speak to a minor without a parent or guardian present.

"I need to speak to the Head Mistress" She murmured, "If you're feeling well enough you may head to your Common Room Mr. Potter-Malfoy, I'll be keeping your twin overnight, for observation and to ensure he gets a good sleep" She said, casting a charm to alert her if Siri awoke before bustling out of the infirmary, closely followed by Orion, though he turned towards the dungeons and she towards the tower that housed Minerva's office.

MOA

Draco was raging, he had already broken a very expensive vase and was working his way through some rather nice plates.

"Draco" Narcissa Malfoy gasped as she came through the floo, staring in shock at the wreckage around the room.

Draco whirled, he had tear tracks on his face and he looked distraught and very angry.

"Mother" He murmured stiffly, though he looked absolutely depressed.

"Draco what happened?" Narcissa asked, carefully stepping across the room to pull a plate from her son's shaking hands.

"They interviewed the boys" Draco murmured, "Illegally, and now Harry's been dragged to the Ministry for questioning himself" He showed his mother the note from Orion.

"Siri was devastated after the interview and spent the night in the Hospital wing" He said, wringing his hands together, "After the interview with the boys that foul Abbot woman decided to take Harry into the Ministry to interview him. This entire case is going to hell in a hand-basket" The blond man said, raking his fingers through his hair, looking at his mother worriedly.

"Why aren't you with him?" Narcissa asked, frowning.

"They took him while I was at work, I just got home ten minutes ago" Draco said, showing her the second note, this one from Harry which looked hastily scrawled.

"Floo your father" Narcissa said, taking over once she realize her son wasn't exactly functioning just yet. Draco nodded numbly, Narcissa pulled out her wand and banished the glass, pouring herself a cup of tea and contemplating what they could do.

MOA

Harry shuddered as the Ministry official sent to collect him, dropped him back off at his house. He winced as he was dumped into his wheelchair, he hated this, this nonsense. Pushing himself into the house he was rather surprised to find not only an anxious Draco awaiting him, but Lucius and Narcissa as well.

"Are you alright?" Draco demanded, immediately going to his husband's side and pulling him into his arms.

"Fine, just really pissed off" Harry murmured, letting Draco scoop him up and settle him on the couch.

"The boys mentioned that they were asking very leading questions" Lucius murmured, "Was it the same thing with you?" He asked curiously.

"Yes, it was really bad. They didn't really assess my parenting skills, so much as bring up very specific events, ones in which I am unable to fully parent" He murmured, "Scenarios I suppose you could call them" He shrugged, "Most of the questions also pertained to when the boys were just babies, events like dealing with stairs, or them learning to walk, nothing that would happen with two eleven year olds"

"I don't like this" Draco murmured, "I know a lot of people were worried about our marriage initially, but eleven years have gone by without incident, I think this is something more then just the Weasleys" He said, pulling Harry against him.

"Have you spoken to Severus?" Harry asked his husband, while Lucius called Mipsy to bring dinner into the sitting room.

"Yes, I stopped by after work" Draco murmured, "He was doing some experiments with a potion to reverse the injury on your spine, but it was more for his amusement then anything. Now he's working seriously on the project and he hopes to have some results within the next month or so" He murmured, pulling Harry against him protectively.

"Well, if he manages to figure something out before all this starts to heat up" Harry murmured, not at all happy. Draco nodded, just cuddling against his husband and trying to offer Harry some comfort and love which he could tell the raven-haired man needed.

MOA

Molly Weasley beamed as she finished her floo call with Hannah Abbot. She nodded her head smartly as she began to make dinner. The case was proceeding nicely and she couldn't be happier. Soon enough Harry would be with a proper light family where he could forget about all those nasty thoughts the Malfoys had put in his head. She knew it seemed off, dredging up this old case after eleven years but she and Ginny had never given up hope, and with Hermione and Jamie onboard, finding obscure laws to help their case, everything was just seeming to go according to plan. She sighed, glancing at the clock, soon everyone would be here for dinner, minus Fred and George of course, but she didn't really count them among her family members anymore. She couldn't wait to have Harry in the house, back around the table with all of them. It would be like her family was complete again. With that thought in mind, Molly waved her wand, setting the table before carefully putting the heavy dishes on the table after it was set, relishing the quiet moment before everyone began to floo in.

Soon, everything would be good again.

MOA

Severus sighed, looking over the cauldron intently for a moment. It had been awhile since he had had to brew a potion with so much pressure behind it. Normally he created new potions to expand his stores or for the sheer challenging of making something new. Now, for the first time since the fall of Voldemort, Severus had to make a potion and quickly. He relished the feeling, the pressure as he strived to create something that would inevitably change Harry's life and the lives of many other witches and wizards with sever spinal injuries.

"Newt eyes" He mumbled, carefully adding the small, black dots with precise motions to the steaming liquid.

"Salamander blood" He said thoughtfully, carefully adding three drops of the red liquid to the now dark green potion. He furrowed his brow, snatching up the stained potions' journal and carefully making a notation as he examined the potion again. While he relished the challenge, he very much wanted to prefect this potion and quickly. He didn't want anything bad to happen to Harry, nor to Ori and Siri and right now the Weasleys and the Ministry were threatening the security and happiness of the very few people that Severus considered to be his family.

"Damn them anyway" Severus muttered in annoyance, picking up a crystal bottle of Unicorn blood (freely given) and examined it for a moment before carefully adding four precise drops to the green liquid. The potion flashed brightly, turning to a crystal green colour (almost matching Harry's eyes) and Severus grinned. This was a very good sign, and Severus knew he was on the right track. Of course he still had a ways to go, but he was pleased with his progress thus far. Hopefully he'd manage to perfect this before Harry had the Weasleys ended up back in the court room. He knew the boys were supposed to be going home for Yule and he fully intended for them to go home to a complete family, not missing a family member or anything.