Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter


Harry expected to be distracted. His God-Father's trial is coming up and no one will tell him anything about where he is or what is going to happen. Being a bit distracted would be perfectly understandable, only, he is not. In fact, Harry does not think he has ever been more focused in class. Even Professor Snape was not calling him a dunderhead, that definitely says something. He knows he should not let it bother him, but honestly, Harry is nervous. He wants to do well in school, he wants to be smart and clever like Hermione. He knows his Mother was incredibly intelligent, so was his Father, what if Uncle Padfoot expects him to be and he falls short? Will he leave him? Will he take Moony with him? Will Harry be alone again?

So, it is not that he is more focused, only more determined. Harry has never before had more motivation to do well than when facing the possibility of losing his family.

It is Neville that calls him out on it, a day before the trial is to take place. Well, he says call him out on it. He straight up dobs him in.

"He's over there," Neville says. Harry looks up from the book he had been studying from to see Professor McGonagall looking at him with concern. She nods to Longbottom and walks over to Harry.

"Mr. Potter, may I join you?" She asks, and really, Harry is supposed to say no to that…how exactly?

"Of course, Professor," Harry replies, sitting up straighter and gesturing to another seat at his table. She sits down, interlocking her fingers on top of the table as she regards him silently for a moment.

"Your work ethic has certainly improved lately, I have been incredibly proud of you," McGonagall tells him, Harry blinks at her, "However it has been suggested that perhaps your recent focus has less to do with a wish to succeed and more to do with a misguided concern that your family is dependant on said success." Harry's shoulders slump as he folds in on himself. McGonagall reaches across the table, laying a hand on his, "Do you know why those who care for us care about how well we do in school, Mr. Potter?"

"No one has ever cared about my grades, Professor," Harry points out, McGonagall gets a look of pity on her face that makes him angry, but he breathes through it like Moony has taught him.

"Molly and Arthur Weasley would disagree with that statement Potter," She tells him sternly, he flushes, "And so would I." Harry's eyes widen as he looks up at her, her gaze softens, "They care because our futures are often decided by our grades in school and they want us to have the lives we want, they want us to be happy. They want this because they love us. And Harry, your Uncles do love you. Love extends far beyond the letter a Professor gives you for a piece of work that will no doubt be forgotten ten minutes after it has been handed up." Harry snickers at her description of school assignments as he nods.

"I suppose maybe I was taking it all a bit far. I only wanted them to be proud of me and then I thought maybe they'll be disappointed in my potions grade and things just sort of…spiralled…" Harry tells her, she nods understandingly.

"They are proud of you Mr. Potter, you have accomplished great things, both inside and outside the classroom. Most importantly, you are a brilliant person. Not only are your Uncles proud of you, but I have it on good authority that your parents would be too." Harry seems confused, "Are you happy, Harry?" He considers this. Sure, he has to deal with the Dursleys still, but he has friends and a home here in Hogwarts, not to mention his Uncle Moony.

"Yes Professor." McGonagall smiles at his honest answer.

"Then you have already fulfilled their greatest wish for you." Harry's face lights up instantly, McGonagall nods to herself as she stands up, "That all being said, your work these past few days truly has been exemplary. Perhaps not dropping the entire thing completely?" Harry grins cheekily.

"Oh, I don't know Professor. I mean, the work will be forgotten ten minutes later anyway…"

"That sentence is not to be repeated to Weasley."

"Which one?"

"Any."


Harry's still chuckling over that when he makes it back to the common room, the book he had been studying from in his arms. Sure, his Uncles won't disown him, but a little extra work from his usual abysmal effort won't be amiss.


"All those in favour of declaring Sirius Black innocent of all charges?" Bunch of hands go up, a bunch of hands don't, Harry knows he is not great at Maths, but he knows enough about reading anger in facial expressions to know his Uncle Moony has not counted a good amount of hands. Then a few more go up and his Uncle sinks into his seat in relief, Harry puts a hand over his mouth to cover his sob of relief, "Sirius Black is pardoned."

Remus requests that Harry wait outside for a moment, Sirius has been under a lot of emotional strain after all and he wants to get a read on his mindset before introducing them. Harry doesn't argue, but only because Sirius knows he is there and thus will fight Moony if he has to so that he can see Harry, and this, Harry does not doubt at all. He also doesn't doubt that Sirius would win, Moony being a Werewolf or not, nothing would get between Sirius Black and his God-Son. Harry smiles to himself at that thought, feeling rather safe and protected even though he has not even spoken to the man yet.

"All right, you ready Harry?"

"Yes! Stop being dramatic Uncle Moony, I want to see him," Harry tells him, he hears a familiar chuckle before Remus steps out of the doorway, quickly followed by Sirius Black who walks over to Harry. Harry throws himself at his God-Father who holds him tightly.

"Merlin, I've missed you, Harry."

"I missed you too Uncle Padfoot." Sirius chuckles at the name, holding him tightly.

"Are you doing okay Harry? I imagine all of this has been rather stressful," Sirius says, sitting him on a bench and kneeling before him, Harry looks at him like he's insane.

"You've just been declared innocent after twelve years in Azkaban because you'd been falsely accused of murdering your best mate and his wife, and you're worried about me?" Sirius smiles gently at him.

"You're my nephew and God-Son Harry, I will always worry about you." Harry beams at him.

"I love you Uncle Pads." Sirius smiles, looking Harry in the eyes. The first person to ever do so without their gaze flickering to his scar even once. Because Uncle Padfoot doesn't see his scar, not really. He sees a boy who is his nephew, and that is all that matters.

"I love you too Harry."


NOTE:

So, I'd planned to continue this story after PoA, but at this juncture, I'm not seeing much point in it.

I reckon there'll be another chapter, maybe two, before I wrap this up unless I get a sudden plot bunny to follow…we shall see.

I was hoping to make this chapter lighter since this story was really meant to be an easy and relatively non-angsty read but that failed so, more happiness and fun times next chapter, I promise 😊