Disclaimer: We all know how these work, I acknowledge that J., Warner Bros. and Scholastic own Harry Potter and all other characters and settings from cannon, and I get to write whatever I please and even add in characters of my own as long as I don't get any money. The no money sucks but there you go, at least I don't get lawyers knocking on my door. Addendum: If you recognize a name of a character from elsewhere it isn't mine.
A/N: Thank you all for your patience. I know LM is a little OOC but then again in this story so is Sirius. Enjoy! :)
Sirius' Savior
Chapter 64 Making A Choice
Lucius Malfoy regarded himself as a pragmatist. He had joined Lord Voldemort because the man espoused the beliefs he had been raised to believe in and his father who had been a school chum of the Dark Lord's and told him to. He had enjoyed his place of importance as financial and political advisor and had only seen advancement in his future when the Dark Lord took over, despite his distaste for some of the required activities as one of his followers. Then the Potters had happened, unlike many he didn't subscribe to the theory that baby Potter had done something. No if anyone had done something it had been the mudblood mother. Her cleverness at school had surpassed even the best of the pure bloods, as loathe as he was to admit it. Lucius had been forced to pay large sums to cover his mistake in believing the Dark Lord invincible. Life had gotten considerably more challenging a couple years later because of the stoppage of income from Narcissa's dowery. The matter that Sirius knew he was a marked Death Eater had been a blip on the horizon as long as Sirius was a fugitive.
But now Sirius was, if Lucius was any judge, to be declared a free man. All his seats and all the seats of his godson would revert to his control. He had just effectively pulled ninety percent or more of Albus Dumbledore's power away from him, all without saying a word. The House of Malfoy was not far from being impoverished. Minister Bagnold and Corneilus Fudge had taken his original bribe, but after a few years of high living had gone through the money. They had been blackmailing him since. It had been a vicious cycle thankfully Bagnold had died in her sleep a year ago, and with Fudge's extradition Lucius was in the clear except from Lord Black or more accurately His Grace Duc du Sable.
Lucius was certain that the Dark Lord would return, but how he would regard Lucius' betrayal was another question. Lucius figured he could lie his way through it. But the question was should he, or should he not believe his darling Cissa's instincts and throw himself on the mercy of His Grace. He remembered Sirius' character well from their school days. The man was a Gryffindor through and through. Which meant if Lucius threw himself onto His Grace's mercy, he could probably be trusted to protect Lucius more than Lucius could trust a Slytherin or a Ravenclaw. But would it be enough?
As the day's session drew to a close, Lucius grew more uptight he only had two more hours to make this decision. His family or his political ideals?
The session ended just after Sirius was declared innocent of all charges. Lucius stopped him on his way out, "I wish to speak with Your Grace this evening if I may?"
Sirius' blue eyes met his own gray. "Of course, how about you bring your family to Grimmauld place and dine with us this evening. You have an old friend's journal in your possession, be sure and bring it with you."
Lucius felt his heart lurch in his chest. "Which friend would that be?"
"Tom Marvolo Riddle."
Lucius fought the urge to shudder. If he did this and the Dark Lord returned to power there wouldn't be a safe place in England let alone Europe for him. But even now he was hovering on the edge of disaster, life without Narcissa's dowery while being blackmailed had put him in that position. Of course the final months before the defeat of the Dark Lord had also left him feeling like he was on the edge of disaster. The Dark Lord's demands had sickened Lucius. He hadn't minded dealing in finances or politics but torture and pain were not his preferred recreation, he far preferred horse racing and quidditch. Maybe taking a chance and trusting family could redeem them. "I understand. I'll bring it."
"Wonderful. Dinner will be at seven and since it's family only it's casual. Come a little early and we can take care of business"
"I'll pass that on to Cissa. Is Draco included?"
"Of course."
"We will see you then."
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The Malfoy's were surprised that Sirius greeted them immediately on their arrival. He was accompanied by three security personnel who ran a cursory check then they went to Sirius' den. They were followed by two of the guards
With out being asked Lucius handed Sirius the Riddle diary. "You realize that by giving you this I sign my death warrant if he returns don't you? If not warrants for my whole family."
"I do, but he will find it considerably harder to return than you might think. And I do understand, he was responsible for Reg's death you know. The reality is this is one of six horcruxes, and one has already been destroyed. I have two others and I know the locations of two more.
"Are you ready to give your oaths?"
Narcissa and Lucius both drew their wands, "I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy swear on my life and my magic for the rest of my life I will never draw my wand on another person except in defense of the lives of myself and my family." Lucius could see in Sirius' eyes that particular wording left something out in his eyes. So he reluctantly added. "And I will only use it against the one threatening me and mine."
Narcissa echoed Lucius' vow.
Lucius swallowed hard, Narcissa said that he should take this one step further than what Sirius had asked. She said it would create a true peace and end any suspicion between themselves and His Grace. The Malfoys, although wealthy, had their roots in the bourgeois class of the French Revolution. They had managed a magnificent climb socially during England's industrial age to a baronet status. But they lacked sufficient ties to the noble class and a long enough line to make it to the highest echelons of power. Lucius had once dreamed of being Minister. Narcissa was convinced that by making an oath of fidelity to Sirius, their family could gain protection that would secure their future. He took a deep breath and spoke.
"By Merlin and Magic itself, I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy will to Sirius Orion Black-DuSable be true and faithful, I will love what he loves and shun what he shuns according to the laws of men and Magic itself. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him on condition that he will hold to me as I deserve, and hold to his own agreement that he makes to me this day when I submit myself and mine to his will." Lucius finished giving his oath and prayed Narcissa was right.
Sirius drew his wand. "I Sirius Orion Black-De Sable accept the oath of fidelity offered to me this day by Lucius Abraxas Malfoy. It is right that such fidelity be rewarded. I swear on my life and magic to protect the House of Malfoy as a cadet branch of my house. I will protect them from those that would harm them physically, financially, and politically in return for their fidelity to the ideals of the House De Sable. I will support their goals, as our goals are henceforth the same. I undertake full physical safety concerns of the House of Malfoy as my own. Any attack on the House of Malfoy shall be regarded as an attack on my own."
Sirius quirked an eyebrow as if to ask if his oath was sufficient.
Lucius was surprised. Sirius had vowed to protect the Malfoys on a physical basis completely. He really hadn't expected that. The Blacks were known for their wards, Narcissa had told him once that as a young boy, Sirius, as heir of the Black familiy, had begun training in warding at four. With the oath Sirius just made Malfoy Manor could have the impenetrable Black family wards. The wards currently on the manor were good but Black wards were a magnitude of ten better. Lucius rapidly nodded his acceptance of Sirius' oath.
Both men spoke "By my oath and by Magic so mote it be."
The room glowed golden for a moment as their oaths took hold. When the glow faded Sirius spoke. "I'm surprised cousin. I did not expect an oath of fidelity. I believed you to be too Slytherin to make such an oath."
"As a Slytherin I must look out for my own interests, House of Malfoy while on the surface is strong in actuality is on the brink of failure, mostly due to alliances chosen by my father and their consequences. If I must turn my coat to save my family I might as well turn it all the way. I will however require a few months to acquaint myself with your stances and the ideals of the House De Sable."
A chime sounded from elsewhere in the house. "Indeed. The chime signals that dinner is ready, won't you come and meet my family." The meal that followed was something quite outside of the Malfoys experience. The Duchess said "Hello." While her hands were full trying to corral her daughters and son into the tall chairs about the table.
Maryanne Stevens greeted Sirius with a, "Well?"
"Charges dismissed."
"Of course, what else would they do throw an innocent man into their idea of a good prison?"
Beth smiled at her husband. "I'm just glad it went as expected. Harry will be relieved."
Narcissa couldn't resist that lead in. "Yes Sirius, where is your godson?"
Beth chimed in with the answer before Sirius could. "He's at school of course. He attends one of the top preparatory schools in the US. He's at the top of his class."
Lucius was surprised. "I wasn't aware there were preparatory schools for magic in the US."
Rick came into the room holding a pile of papers. "There's not, it's an elite academy for mundane children. Sirius I'm reading through the papers given to us by the Minister and frankly I'm having trouble making heads or tails of some of these details, maybe your knowledge would help..."
"It's dinner time Rick put those aside for now." Maryanne stated.
Rick gave his wife a sheepish grin and vanished the papers back to his office.
Sirius smiled and said, "Everyone I would like to introduce my cousin Narcissa Malfoy her husband Lucius and their son Draco. Lucius, Narcissa, Draco starting with the lovely blond my Mother in Law, Maryanne Stevens. Next to her is her husband former Magical President of the Untied Magical States and current Ambassador to Magical Britain Roderick Stevens. Next to him is my oldest daughter, Elizabeth Marie, then comes her sister Lila Rose, then comes my lovely Duchess and attache for the U.S. Government, Beth then my son, James Sirius."
Beth immediately said "Welcome and please don't mind the chaos, it is somewhat normal."
Dinner was somewhat chaotic with the politics of the days events being the main topic of conversation. Narcissa couldn't help but think her aunt would be completely appalled, discussing politics at the dinner table, but somehow it worked and it was one of the most interesting evenings she had ever had. After dinner Lucius, Beth, Sirius, and Roderick gathered and discussed spiritedly the Queen's initiatives for Magical Britain, while two house elves and the nanny came and collected the triplets. Maryanne joined Narcissa and Draco, on seeing Narcissa's look she smiled. "I have something Draco might enjoy."
She lead them to a room with a large screen TV and a VCR was and she put in Star Wars. "This is one of Harry's favorite movies."
Narcissa gave Maryanne a puzzled look. "What is that?"
"Television and a video cassette recorder modified by Sirius so it will work in a magical environment." The three of them watched the movie, Narcissa and Draco were both fascinated by what they were seeing.
As the movie came to an end, Draco said. "That's it? But what about the Empire? It's still out there."
"That is why there are two more movies Draco." Maryanne said with a smile.
"Is that real?" He asked.
"No, it's...It's a made up story, acted out to make it seem real."
"But the Jedi mind trick it's like-"
"Draco darling it's late and we need to go home and get you into bed." Narcissa cut him off before he could say something...unfortunate.
Once they were home, and Draco was tucked into bed. Lucius and Narcissa got ready for bed. Narcissa said, "I was proud of you tonight, it takes a strong man to submit himself to another."
"I..I just decided to trust your instincts darling. By turning over the diary I feared that I was signing our death warrants. But I thought about what you had said, and I thought about how my father had basically bowed his head and made a fidelity oath to the Dark Lord, contrary to his words that a Malfoy bows to no one. The Dark Lord in general treated his followers poorly there was no oath to honor and protect in return. Also while I enjoyed the political and financial maneuvering I did for the Dark Lord I did not enjoy the dark revels. Your cousin will not demand such things from me, that he made an oath in return surprised me."
"We need to have words with Draco in the morning, explain the changes in attitude that we expect from him. He almost mentioned the Imperious curse. Such things were necessary for him to know before we turned but now it would make things awkward. So what did you learn in your after dinner discussion?"
"His Grace doesn't like politics but makes a point of understanding them so he can use them to his own benefit, it was eye opening. I had made the assumption that his being a Gryffindor precluded such things. His wife, on the other hand, on first impression is a Hufflepuff, but she were she a witch, she would do Slytherin house proud. Not because she's ambitious but from sheer cunning. She pointed out numerous aspects of the situation that even I missed. Her father is just plain scary. He has I think the same level of power of Dumbledore, with a similar mindset for good, but there is an undercurrent of ruthlessness that reminds me of the Darklord. He has been asked to remake Wizarding Britain and I believe he has the capacity to do it. Things are never going to be the same, I'm glad you lead me to choose to adapt, rather than be mowed down.
"I noticed you disappeared off with Mrs. Stevens, what did the two of you discuss?"
"She introduced Draco and I to what my cousin has been up to. Apparently he has been inventing or maybe adapting would be a better term. There are apparently numerous muggle devices that make life much more convenient and pleasant, Sirius has been spending his time adapting them magically. I almost feel like we should introduce him and Arthur Weasley at the next Ministry function. But there's that little matter of the Malfoy-Weasley feud."
"Yes, and the matter that the Wealseys all but worship at the throne of Dumbledore."
"Well, Sirius seems intent on proving Dumbledore has feet of clay."
"And he's doing such a marvelous job of it too. Goodnight darling."
"Goodnight."
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Sirius had been surprised when Lucius had given him an oath of fidelity, such oaths had nearly passed out of use. Reflection had pointed out to him why Lucius had done it, it had been a calculated move to get him to offer a greater protection He would have to sit down with Lucius and get a full accounting of the state of the house of Malfoy, not to mention have his security do a full analysis of the Malfoy security. It wouldn't do to be lax on his end of the oath. He would need to get to know the slightly older man and what his goals were.
He knew that Lucius had been Head boy in his year, with political aspirations. He had served an internship at the ministry. On his father's death he had ceased to do a day to day job at the ministry,but he still served on various committees and sat the family seat in the Wizengamot. Lucius' interest in politics could be useful because he could help iron out policy in the new government that would appease the old blood purist families to a point while still moving Magical Great Britain from the nineteenth century into the twenty first. He was going to have to gather his allies and get them all into harness together or the reconstruction would take a long time and he didn't want that to be the case. But he also wanted to focus on taking Albus' power down to nothing because that was the only way Harry would be safe.
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In Baltimore at Stuart-Cavanaugh, Harry felt a pang of homesickness. He found it ridiculous because he hadn't lived at home for a few years now. But before this, Sirius and Beth had always been only a phone call away and he had gone home for weekends most of the time. This time he wouldn't see them until August. He was going on the school trip between spring and summer terms, then going to Chicago for almost three weeks of training with Charlie. Then it was back here for his final trimester. At least he got to go stay with Uncle Nic once a month, and he had his friends. He wondered how Sirius' trial was going.